Evidence Based Practice Evidence Update: Dynamic Seating for Children with Autism May 30, 2017 by Elena Noble, MPT
dynamic seating children autism
Teachers and therapists working in inclusive classrooms continue to work to improve academic outcomes for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  One fascinating area of inquiry is seating modification to improve in-seat performance, as students may need to sit for five hours during a normal school day. In one recent article on the topic, researchers examined how dynamic seating options...
Evidence Based Practice Evidence Update: The Relationship of Trunk Support to Head Stability May 09, 2017 by Lori Potts, PT
head stability control
Trunk and head control is a challenge for many children with cerebral palsy (CP). This fascinating recent study examines how providing varying levels of biomechanical trunk support affects neural control of head stability, specifically for children with CP in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Levels IV or V. By definition, GMFCS Level IV indicates children whose walking ability is severely...
PT/OT Tilt and Recline in Pediatric Mobility March 06, 2017 by Elena Noble, MPT
tilt recline pediatric mobility
We know that there are over fifteen body functions and body structures affected by the orientation of an adaptive seating system. So needless to say, when setting up such a seating system for a child with disabilities, it’s important to get it right. That task falls on the child’s therapist or ATP. Successful positioning and functional results depends on thoroughly understanding the...
PT/OT Survey Results: Building a Case for Dynamic Seating July 26, 2016 by Lori Potts, PT
The Rifton Activity Chair showing incremental adjustments for dynamic seating and adaptive positioning
Occupational therapist Michelle Lange recently conducted a survey on dynamic seating. Her questions focused on wheelchairs that have dynamic components integrated into or added to the design. Over 100 clinicians and suppliers responded and it’s clear that we’re seeing an increased appreciation for dynamic adaptive equipment for children and clients with unique positioning needs. Michelle...
Tips & Advice Ingenious Solutions from the Field: Adding a Communication Tray to the Activity Chair May 02, 2016 by Elena Noble, MPT
A boy standing in a Prone Stander and smiling.
For those who would like to use a communication device while in the Rifton Activity Chair, here is a creative solution from a school-based therapist. 1. Replace an armrest on the Activity Chair with the metal forearm prompt base (without the arm prompts attached). 2. Attach the clamp that comes with the Dynamic Pacer communication tray to the forearm prompt base. 3. Insert the communication tray post into...
PT/OT Studying Neurodevelopmental Disorders with the Rifton Activity Chair November 12, 2015 by Elena Noble, MPT
A girl sits in the activity chair for neurodevelopmental disorders therapy studies
From school classrooms to radiology departments to hospital feeding clinics, the Rifton Activity Chair meets a range of positioning needs in a variety of environments. Recently we learned of yet another clinical setting where the Activity Chair has found a niche: in the study of neurodevelopmental disorders at the UC Davis MIND Institute, an internationally respected research facility. Here, the...
PT/OT Benefits of Adaptive Seating Beyond the Wheelchair January 26, 2015 by Terri Oxender, OTR/L, ATP
A young girl demonstrates active sitting to participate with her brother while they playing on a device
Wheelchair seating and positioning is a frequent source of frustration for parents. I often hear that the wheelchair just doesn’t work well in the home. It is too low to use at the table for meals or homework but it sits too tall for their child to be at the same height as their friends. Or I hear complaints about maneuverability in the home. But perhaps the most important complaint I hear is this:...
PT/OT Teaching Active Sitting Skills January 19, 2015 by Elena Noble, MPT
A therapist is teaching a special needs student active sitting and positioning in a Rifton Activity Chair in a classroom setting
As therapists we generally like to distinguish between active and passive sitting. Active sitting refers to dynamic positioning of the trunk and extremities over a stabilized pelvis for the purpose of completing a task. Active sitting is the posture we use for eating, learning and participation because it is a posture of alertness and purpose, relying heavily on the strength and sustained functioning of...
PT/OT Optimal Positioning with Adaptive Seating for the Child with Cerebral Palsy August 05, 2014 by Lori Potts, PT
A teacher smiles at a child with cerebral palsy who is touching a computer screen from her adaptive chair
Cerebral Palsy is a result of abnormalities in the parts of the brain that control muscle movements. For children with cerebral palsy, their muscle control, coordination, and posture will be affected to varying degrees by this faulty development or damage to areas of their brain. Cerebral Palsy affects approximately three out of every 1,000 children, and symptoms can range from mild to severe physical...
PT/OT The Importance of Head Positioning with Adaptive Seating April 08, 2014 by Elena Noble, MPT
Two caregivers in a playroom with young adults with special needs work on head positioning and functional activities.
Positioning a person with severe disabilities in a seated posture for functional activities requires matching body functions and structures with available seating and positioning technology.  With the wide variety of adaptive equipment available today, positioning for function has been made easier. This type of technology allows us to position a child in space for pressure relief, create a stable...
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