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Supervised Wheelchair Mobility in Pediatric Clients

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

February 19, 2014

Question

How do payors view supervised wheelchair mobility in young clients? Will they pay for a power wheelchair?

Answer

This depends on the payor. Some have a certain criteria or age cut-off and will not pay for power wheelchairs for young children.  I think it is really important to document the rationale behind the equipment recommendation and how the caregivers will provide supervision (as they would do for any type of mobility at this age even in typical children).  As we discussed, kids, who have no mobility or limited mobility could benefit from a powered wheelchair to access their environment.  This builds foundational skills for better learning in the future.  It has also been shown by the research that children who have early mobility are more likely to attempt other forms of mobility.


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

AAC: Early Intervention and Transition
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS, Jill Tullman, MS, CCC-SLP
Video

Presenters

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMSJill Tullman, MS, CCC-SLP
Course: #5226Level: Advanced3 Hours
  'Case studies at the end, lots of photos throughout the presentation'   Read Reviews
Master skills to implement in your practice immediately with continued Master Class. This three-hour master class addresses the complex needs of children with multiple disabilities in the early intervention setting, including successful transition to school. A multi-disciplinary approach to augmentative-alternative communication (AAC) and interventions are addressed and case studies are included.

Pediatric Power Wheelchair Assessment And Training
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Video

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #6317Level: Advanced3 Hours
  'Breakdown and Explanation of each type of wheel chair, drivetrain, accessibility, assessments, etc'   Read Reviews
Pediatric power wheelchair assessment, including determining and developing cognitive and motor readiness, team evaluation, and mobility training as a part of the school day, will be comprehensively addressed in this course. Assessment, skill development, and skill training are critical to achieve functional and independent use of power mobility.

Secondary Supports: It’s All In The Angles!
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Video

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #6111Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'Good review of types of secondary supports for positioning'   Read Reviews
Wheelchair seating systems often include secondary supports including pelvic belts, anterior trunk supports, and ankle straps. This course will explore secondary supports and appropriate clinical applications, as well as what to do when secondary supports are required, and team members have restraint concerns. Case studies will be included.

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

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #5907Level: Advanced2 Hours
  'Excellent presenter'   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.

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

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #5928Level: Advanced2 Hours
  'Excellent content and presenter'   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.