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Movement may sound very simple, but it has a huge impact on an individual’s health. Being able to move around shifts an individual’s ability to function, it makes them more productive. It can even make people enjoy their lives or jobs.

A lot of people depend on a wheelchair whether it is manual or powered in performing activities of daily living, such as preparing food, self- feeding, dressing, and bathing, in addition to the other activities that require the person to interact with the outer world. A wheelchair is used as a means to move from one place to another. It helps the individual to live a productive and healthy life with the highest degree of independency which in turn reduces the demands placed upon the caregiver. Designing a suitable wheelchair requires evaluating an individual’s abilities while also considering the environment and daily activities. This is exactly what occupational therapists who are specialized in seating do. They view an individual holistically and this means that they take into consideration their physical, behavioral, social, and cognitive abilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  • Improves sitting posture

  • Promoting the physiological and muscular function by good sitting posture

  • Promoting comfort and safety of an individual as well as reducing fatigue

  • Maintaining proper body alignment to prevent and minimize deformities 

  • Distributing the pressure among body parts evenly 

  • Maintaining good skin condition by preventing the development of pressure sores

  • Improves the social life

The benefits of a wheelchair include:

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There are two types of wheelchair:

  • Standard wheelchair: this type is available in fixed measurements and it cant be changed or adjusted. It is found in a lot of places such as hospitals.

  • Customized / Specialized wheelchair: this type is provided by the seating clinic. It is specifically designed based on an individual’s condition and needs.

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Standard

VS

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Customized

Occupational Therapy Role:

Our role starts once an individual receives a referral from a physician:

  • An occupational therapist first reads the individual’s file to have a better understanding of the case.

  • Specific assessments are carried out to determine an individual’s physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities in addition to the strengths and weaknesses.

  • An occupational therapist collaborates with the individual or caregiver to know more about the routine, interest, goals, and the difficulties that they face when performing daily activities.

  • The previous wheelchair (if available) will be evaluated to determine the presence of any problem and the possible solutions.

  • Once all the assessments are done, the individual will try different wheelchairs in order to choose the suitable one.

  • A report specifying the type of wheelchair with the measurements and all the recommended parts will be written and then sent to a company that is responsible for building wheelchairs.

  • The individual pays for the wheelchair and then waits for it to arrive.

  • During the phase of delivery, the occupational therapist educates the individual on proper positioning.

  • Once the wheelchair arrives, regular follow ups are done to ensure that the wheelchair is still functional and appropriate.  

Who are the clients of seating?

  • Cerebral Palsy

  • Developmental Delay

  • Spina Bifida

  • Muscular Dystrophy/ Myopathy

  • Down Syndrome

  • Neurodegenerative Disorders

  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

  • Spinal Cord Injury

  • Stroke (CVA)

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

  • Poliomyelitis

  • Orthopedic Problems

  • Amputations

  • Others

You can find us in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital (Look at the map)

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