Peter Wingrave on specialist seating for SEND settings.
The average person spends a third of their day sitting. We all know, from personal experience, how correct seating impacts on our physical and emotional wellbeing and our performance. The impact is significantly amplified in a special needs setting. Specialist seating can play a key role in a child’s or young person’s development, social skills and quality of life.
There are various options available, from seats that look like conventional “work” chairs through bean bags to positioning systems. With budgets for specialist equipment under increasing pressure, whether at school or home, it is important to consider the value a particular purchase brings—how long will it work for the child, does it require alterations for each individual and if so how easilyy, cost-effectively and quickly? Is it multi-purpose? Is there something beyond the conventional solution that may be better?
Bean cushion seats are common today, predominantly falling into two categories—fixed mould or the newer vacuum (infinitely variable). The vacuum option is gaining increasing traction among OTs, schools and parents, because of its inherent ease of adaptability and adjustability: in seconds, it can be altered to suit what either a specific child needs daily, or for a number of children in the same environment. Beechcliffe School in Yorkshire bought four because of this flexibility, for young Daniel Bostock with Cerebral Palsy. The bean cushion seat can be adjusted as his muscles require throughout the day without impinging on his peg. It can also be used as a sensory seat by placing a device underneath, delivering sound and vibration.
There is also a further development, a foam positioning seating system that works particularly well with children and young adults with severe and complex motor and sensory disabilities. Scientifically designed to positively harness the natural forces of gravity, providing a stable, deep, inclined seat provides a low centre of gravity to naturally encourage a stable seating position. High arm rests support the elbows forward helping reduce muscle tension in the shoulders and enabling fine motor control activities. Snug non-restrictive lateral supports help maintain seated symmetry to ease deformities and contractures. The Percy Headley Foundation and Sefton Council are just two organisations already appreciating the benefits of the system, where there is a noticeable, tangible improvement in recipients’ interaction with others, behaviour and social skills.
It may also be useful to consider the added value which specialist cushioning may bring. A single well-chosen posture cushion can be suitable for use on a variety of seats, giving correct musculoskeletal support, abduction, and reducing muscle spasms in a range of ADLs.
Colin McDonnell has a rare condition that can cause difficulty moving, spasms, jerking, rigidity and decreased muscle tone and muscle weakness. Through the William Merritt Centre, he acquired a combined back-and-seat vacuum posture cushion. As well as supporting him in daily life, it has enabled him to travel comfortably and even fly abroad on holiday, in a beach wheelchair and snow-sledging. That one cushion has also been used for canoeing, to provide support in a bath, and for aquatherapy.
It’s a case of thinking outside of the box. Look at what’s new and how it may help. Less than a decade ago no-one knew of—or even had—a voice-activated virtual assistant; now they are commonplace. Most reputable suppliers have trained assessors who can support a practical review of the child and specialist seating, and work with you to find the most appropriate answer.
Author: Peter Wingrave
Peter Wingrave
Peter Wingrave is a founding partner in AAT GB, which provides mobility and postural support solutions for people with impairments, from toddlers to elderly.
Website: http://www.aatgb.com
Facebook: @aatgbltd
Twitter: @aatgb
Linkedin: @AATGB
