Pediatric Mobility Solutions Flashcards

A parent requests a beach/all-terrain wheelchair for their child with spinal muscular atrophy type II. How should a CMC approach this request?

Answer: Evaluate it as a secondary or recreational device; primary home/community CRT is funded separately

All-terrain or specialty recreational wheelchairs are typically funded as secondary equipment or through other sources; the primary complex rehab device funding is addressed separately and should not be compromised.

Which clinical finding during a mat evaluation most strongly indicates the need for a tilt-in-space wheelchair rather than a standard upright positioning system for a pediatric client?

Answer: Inability to perform functional pressure relief and presence of existing or at-risk skin breakdown

Inability to perform active pressure relief combined with skin breakdown risk is a primary clinical indicator for tilt-in-space to enable passive pressure redistribution.

A 9-year-old child outgrows their manual wheelchair midway through the funding cycle. What is the appropriate first step for the CMC?

Answer: Document the medical necessity for early replacement due to growth and submit an appeal with growth data

Growth in a pediatric patient is an accepted basis for early replacement; the CMC should document measurements, changes in function, and medical necessity to support an early-replacement appeal.

What does 'proximal stability for distal mobility' mean in the context of pediatric seating?

Answer: Providing postural support at the trunk and pelvis allows the child's extremities to function more freely and effectively

When the trunk and pelvis are well-supported (proximal stability), the child's arms, hands, and head are freed to perform functional tasks (distal mobility).

A CMC is working with a family whose child requires a power wheelchair with eye gaze technology. Which team member is MOST essential to include in the evaluation beyond the ATP and physician?

Answer: Occupational or speech-language pathologist with AAC and access technology expertise

Eye gaze drive controls often integrate with AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) systems, requiring an OT or SLP with specialized access technology expertise to optimize the entire system.

Which pediatric condition most commonly requires antithrust seat design as part of the wheelchair seating system?

Answer: Spastic cerebral palsy with significant extensor thrust and sacral sitting posture

Spastic CP with extensor thrust causes the child to push into extension and slide forward into sacral sitting, and an antithrust seat contour addresses this by blocking forward migration of the pelvis.

When a pediatric manual wheelchair is being trialed for self-propulsion, which rear axle position adjustment improves propulsion efficiency and is most evidence-supported?

Answer: Positioning the rear axle forward and upward so the hand contacts the pushrim at approximately the 10–11 o'clock position

A forward, elevated rear axle position allows the hand to contact the pushrim at 10–11 o'clock, enabling a longer, more efficient stroke pattern and reducing shoulder joint stress.