Evaluating the adult with cerebral palsy for specialized adaptive seating

Physical therapists may not expect to have a pronounced effect on the neuro-developmental function of the cerebral palsied adult because the neuroplasticity of the child is no longer present in the adult. Adapting the environment to such an adult, therefore, becomes of utmost importance. The wheelchair may be the most important structure of the environment for cerebral palsied adults. I present methods for assessing the severely involved adult client and evaluating adaptations of the wheelchair for therapeutic seating. The anterior and posterior tilt of the pelvis and the vertical angle of the backrest are emphasized in achieving therapeutic seating for the severely multiply handicapped adult.