1. Adaptive Positioning and Equipment
A Good Foundation
Adaptive Positioning and Equipment
Prekindergarten Program for Children with Disabilities
Miami-Dade County Public Schools

2. Adaptive Positioning and Equipment
Used to enhance function
Allows positions child is unable to sustain independently
Should match environment and activity
Should ALWAYS be considered in collaboration with and prescribed by a registered physical and/or occupational therapist

3. Adaptive Positioning and Equipment
Role of Therapist
Role of teacher
Implement use of adaptive equipment and positioning throughout ACTIVE learning
Monitor child’s function and status
Monitor for growth
Consult with therapist(s) regularly
Evaluate child and prescribe positions and equipment
Adjust equipment for growth over time
Train school team on body mechanics and proper use of equipment

4. What is “Good” Positioning?
Child can see activity/people
Child is supported but can move freely
Hips at approx. 90˚ angle (sitting) or slightly less (forward)
Feet supported flat on a surface (sitting and standing)
Tray or work surface at elbow height or slightly higher
For more info…consult with a therapist

5. Sitting

6. Adapted chair Back and side support Footplate with optional sandals
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Back and side support
Footplate with optional sandals
Optional wheel base
Tray
Activity surface at table level
Cafeteria
Supported sitting for children with adequate trunk/head control

7. Seating Systems Variety of sizes Many support options Wheel base/tray
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Variety of sizes
Many support options
Wheel base/tray
Tilt in space
Raise and lower in space
Recline while keeping hip flexion angle
Activity chair for children who need maximum support
Inclusion in table activities

8. Bolster Chair
Bolster to separate legs for children with increased tone and poor trunk control
Tray, wheels

9. Adjustable Corner Chair
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Promotes symmetrical posture and midline control of head and arms
Reduces retraction (pulling back) of arms/shoulders for children with poor trunk control and stabilization against gravity
3-way angled backrest
Adjustable height and seat depth
Tray/wheels

10. Educube Chair Side support Shallow or deep seat
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Side support
Sense of boundary or personal space
For individual or group activities
Shallow or deep seat
Tray

11. Adapted Educube Chair Tray with bumpers Abductor Support straps
FEATURES:
Tray with bumpers
Abductor
Support straps
Crayon holder

12. Adapted Educube Chair
FEATURES:
PVC Tray Stand
Bicycle seat

13. TumbleForms Feeder Seat
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Comfortable chair for children with poor head control
Floor level activities
Precautions for insufficient back/hip support
Adjustable recline
Soft, contoured surface
Separate tray ($$)

14. Homemade Feeder Seat Tray

15. Floor sitter Floor level activities Hip/chest support
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Floor level activities
Precautions for children with less than 90˚ hip flexion
Hip/chest support
Tray

16. Bench Sitting level activities Adjustable height and angle
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Sitting level activities
Develops trunk control
Adult can sit with child
Can be used as “tray” for floor sitting
Adjustable height and angle

17. Standing

18. Supine Stander/Easy Stander
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Weight bearing
Upright positioning for children with difficulty with head control
Activity surface in standing
Chest, hip, knee, foot straps
Hip guides and other supports
Adjustable angle of incline
Goes from sit to stand easily

19. Prone Stander Weight bearing Back, hip, and foot straps
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Weight bearing
Upright positioning for children with some head control
Activity surface in standing
Back, hip, and foot straps
Hip/trunk guides and other supports
Adjustable angle of incline

20. Tot Stander Weight bearing Torso, hip, and foot straps
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Weight bearing
Upright positioning for children with good head control and some trunk control
Get closer to activity
Torso, hip, and foot straps
Knee guides

21. Mobility

22. Dynamic Stander Torso, hip, and foot straps Knee guides
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Mobility for children who can wheel themselves
Activity surface for dynamic activities
Classroom traffic patterns must be considered
Torso, hip, and foot straps
Knee guides
Large wheels with grab bar
Tray

23. Adapted Dynamic Stander

24. Gait Trainer Mobility for children who can take steps
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Mobility for children who can take steps
Classroom traffic patterns must be considered
Various models offer different degrees of support

25. Walker Mobility for children who can support upper body and take steps
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Mobility for children who can support upper body and take steps
Classroom traffic patterns must be considered
Can be used anterior or posterior
Wheeled option

26. Floor Positioning

27. Prone Wedge Floor level play
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Floor level play
Develops head control and weight bearing on arms
Precaution to avoid frustration – make it functional
Available in different heights (elbow to shoulder)
Strap option for help with hip extension
Hint: For smaller children, a rolled up towel can serve the same function!

28. Sidelying Floor level play Incline option
BENEFITS:
Floor level play
Incline option
Promotes midline orientation for children with poor control against gravity
Relaxed position benefits breathing and digestion

29. Tadpole Positioning System
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Floor level play in variety of positions: prone, supine, sitting and sidelying
“Grasshopper” is available for older, larger children
Soft vinyl modular pieces that can be put together (velcro) in different configurations

30. Recreation/Daily Living

31. Adapted Tricycles Supportive back Mobility on playground
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Supportive back
Lap/chest belts
Footplates, straps
Adapted handle bars
Adapted pedals
Mobility on playground
Different models for different strengths and needs

32. Adapted Ride-On Toys

33. Adapted Potty Seats Sitting support on toilet
FEATURES:
FUNCTION:
Sitting support on toilet
Different models offer different levels of support