Posture and positioning

In order to have postural control, you need to be able to hold your body up against gravity and control your movements. Some children are unable to move freely themselves so are at risk of developing orthopaedic deformities due to the constant effect of gravity pulling their bodies into different positions. They may need different types of adaptive equipment in order to support them to maintain a good posture and position and facilitate movement and function. This may include supportive seating, a standing frame, supportive walker or sleep system. Postural management should be considered over 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

We have developed an online training session for school staff, families and carers working with children with physical disabilities to gain a better understanding of postural management, including becoming familiarised with specialist equipment and orthotics that a child may have.  This can be accessed here:

 

Please have a look at our resources on posture and equipment, for parents/carers and education settings.

• Managment of hips in cerebral palsy
• Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy
• Standing frames
• Standing frames - Safety and maintenance

The children’s occupational therapy and physiotherapy team work with the Hertfordshire Equipment Service to assess and recommend equipment which will support your child. If you have any queries about equipment which has been provided to you, please contact your therapist. For queries about repairs or collection of equipment, please contact HES directly on 01727 292555.

Videos on the most commonly used equipment can be found here:

• Leckey Horizon stander, Mygo stander, tot stander, prone stander, free stander and Squiggles
• R82 Rabbit stander
• R82 Mustang walker
• RMS Grillo walker
• Jenx Standz standing frame, Jiraffe multistander and Rifton pacer walker

Wheelchair assessment and provision within Hertfordshire is carried out by AJM. You can visit their website https://hertfordshire.wheelchair.services/ for details about their service and eligibility criteria. For children known to the children’s therapy service the therapist is able to make a referral to the wheelchair services with agreement from the child’s parent/carer. However, we are unable to accept referrals where the only reason is to provide a wheelchair. These referrals can be made directly by your GP or any other health professional.