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When Would You Determine Funding for Wheelchair Assessments?

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS

March 10, 2015

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Question

At what point would you determine funding when starting a wheelchair assessment?

 

Answer

I know some people that look at funding immediately and say okay they are not going to even consider options that are not going to be fundable.  I am usually aware of someone's funding, but I try to do the same assessment regardless of the person’s funding source, and recommend what I believe is optimal.  From there, we can work with our options as necessary from funding.  Usually if a funding source says no, it does not mean no.  It means give more information.  We have an opportunity to provide additional information to that funding source to help not only this individual client, but future clients as well. 


michelle lange

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS

Michelle Lange is an occupational therapist with over 38 years of experience and has been in private practice, Access to Independence, for over 19 years, where she currently focuses on education and consultation. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally, and has authored numerous texts, chapters, and articles. She is the co-editor of Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a clinical resource guide (1st & 2nd eds). Michelle is a RESNA Fellow and a RESNA-certified ATP and SMS. She is also a member of the Clinician Task Force. 

 

 

 

 

 


Related Courses

Wheelchair Seating For The Pediatric Population
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Video

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Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #5907Level: Advanced2 Hours
  'Pictures were helpful!!'   Read Reviews
Pediatric seating and mobility equipment are not simply smaller than equipment designed for adults. This course will present the importance of pediatric positioning, clinical considerations, how to determine if a child is positioned adequately, as well as alternative positioning. A detailed case study will pull all the information together in a practical way.

Computer and Tablet Access
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
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Course: #5140Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'Very well organized'   Read Reviews
This course will present a hierarchy of computer and tablet access options for clients unable to use standard access, such as a keyboard, mouse, and touch screen. Access assessment requires analysis of motor skills, vision, cognition, and functional applications. Alternative keyboards and mice will be presented, as well as other alternative access options.

Switch Assessment: Determining Optimal Switch Type And Placement
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Video

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Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #5928Level: Advanced2 Hours
  'Very elaborate and detail oriented presentation!'   Read Reviews
An access method is used by the client to control assistive technology devices, such as power wheelchairs and speech generating devices. Single or multiple switches can be used for access, though careful switch assessment is required to determine optimal switch placement and switch type to meet an individual’s needs.

Manual Wheelchair Mobility: Self-propulsion
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Video

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #5206Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'I'm really enjoying expanding my knowledge on this topic'   Read Reviews
Most manual wheelchairs are designed for self-propulsion and fall into categories. This course will systematically explore each category with clinical indicators, as well as optimal frame configuration to increase propulsion efficiency and reduce the risk of repetitive stress injury.

Mounting Assistive Technology to Wheelchairs
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Video

Presenter

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Course: #9569Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'great resource to share with our AT team'   Read Reviews
People who use wheelchairs may also use assistive technology such as speech-generating devices, computers, tablets, and smartphones. This session will present mounting options for each of these technologies to secure the device to the wheelchair for optimal visual regard, access, safety, and security.