Pediatric Walkers
There are many kinds of pediatric walkers. Some provide a framework for balance purposes only, while others are designed to provide almost full support for a child. Below is a list of different features a pediatric walker might offer:
- An anterior walker (one the child pushes forward)
- A posterior walker (one a child pulls)
- Two-wheeled
- Four-wheeled
- Ratcheted wheels (to prevent a walker from moving backward)
- Swivel wheels (to allow a child to steer a walker without picking it up to maneuver it)
- Brakes
- Pelvic supports
- Trunk supports
- Forearm supports, with or without straps to help a child hold onto the walker
- Different gripped handles
- Straps to help control a child’s legs
- A seat for the child to turn around and take a rest if endurance is an issue
- Baskets to help transport items
- Collapsible (for transporting)
- Height adjustability to grow with a child
Standers
Standers are equipment that provides what the name implies a place for your child to stand! They can come with a wide range of support and different options, such as:
- Different angles your child can be positioned in, from being almost on the tummy, to standing fully upright, to lying on the back
- Comes with straps and support systems from full support to partial support
- Can come with a tray to provide a place to play with toys or eat
- Can be a place to sit and work on sit to stand activities
- Adjustability to grow with the child
Standers are used for many purposes, such as:
- Giving your child the experience of standing through his or her legs in proper body alignment to help muscle and bone development
- An opportunity to work on vision in a different position
- Providing an opportunity for play and to learn in different positions
- An opportunity to work on head and trunk control
- Help a child gain or maintain flexibility
- Help decrease spasticity (tight muscles)
- Providing health benefits (such as decreasing skin breakdown by providing another position for the child to be in, it improves cardiopulmonary function, can help digestion, etc.)
- Allow a child to interact in a more socially appropriate position in school
Pediatric Crutches
Pediatric forearm crutches are a cross between regular crutches and a cane. Instead of supporting weight just under the armpits, a child is able to get support through the forearms and hold onto a handle. Children who might use forearm crutches are:
- Able to walk very slowly independently, but can keep up with their peers much better using forearm crutches
- Able to walk very slowly independently, but use forearm crutches to conserve energy to do other activities
- Have good enough balance not to use a walker, but still need support in order to walk
- Use forearm crutches to enable them to access more environments than a walker
Pediatric Wheelchairs
There are many different kinds of pediatric wheelchairs.
Some are manual (self-propelled by the child or caregiver), while others are electric (motorized).
Typically, a physical therapist evaluates a child’s abilities, and determines how much support and what specialized equipment is needed to maximize a child’s independence. What environments a wheelchair is going to be used in also plays a role in what kind is best for the child.