Prescription and positioning: evaluating the physically disabled individual for wheelchair seating

Within the past 10 years, technology has provided members of the seating team with new approaches in dealing with severely physically disabled children and adults. Positioning is often the first step in overall provision of technical aids. Before physically disabled individuals can operate augmentative communication devices, computer keyboards or other assistive or rehabilitative devices, they should be provided with the optimum seated posture from which to operate. The proximal stability provided by a therapeutically designed seating system will enhance motor potential. Presently, there are many approaches to providing dynamic seating. A thorough evaluation, with input from all team members including the client and his family is necessary to define clearly the goals for the seating device. Once these goals are defined, the team can investigate the possible technical solutions. Thorough ongoing re-evaluation and follow-up of both the client's needs and the possible technical solutions will ensure that persons with physical disabilities will be in the best possible posture to perform the tasks of daily living.