Page 79 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

66 HANDBOOK OF ELECTRONIC ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

comfort and function. However, there may be many factors which impact either on this
optimum positioning or the use of the equipment, which need to be considered. You will
need to ascertain not only the important information that will identify the person’s indi-
vidual problems and their needs, but also identify what constraints there might be to any
recommendations you consider.

Gathering Your Information
The following information will need to be gathered from the child or adult user’s per-
spective, from families and caregivers, as well as from other professionals involved in this
aspect of their care.

Medical Conditions Affecting Posture
• What is the person’s general health like? If a person is often unwell, their tolerance of
seating may be reduced.
• Is the person in any pain? Pain may be experienced for myriad reasons, impacting on
a person’s tolerance to attain a certain posture or to maintain a posture for any length
of time. This is therefore one of the most important factors to consider prior to any
seating provision.
• Has the person had any orthopaedic interventions in the spine, upper or lower limbs
or are any planned in the near future?
• Does the person experience seizures? How might this affect any seating provision?
• Are there any musculoskeletal concerns affecting posture?
• Are there any vulnerable pressure areas which may affect skin integrity?
• What is the person’s swallowing ability like? This may affect a person’s head and trunk
position.
• Is there a respiratory condition impacting on positioning?
• Are there any nutrition needs? Does the person need to be in an upright position?
Does the wheelchair have to accommodate any storage of nutrition equipment?
• Are there any continence issues to consider?
• Are there any sensory needs? Does the person have any visual and hearing difficulties
impacting on their posture?
• What is the person’s weight and height? Does this affect their choice of equipment
provision?
• For night-time positioning equipment, are there any sleep issues?
Psychological Factors Impacting Posture

• Are there any behavioural issues which may impact on the optimum posture and
safety of the equipment?
• Are there any reasons why this equipment may not be acceptable for personal
reasons? What are the young person’s, adult’s or family’s/carer’s experiences of
equipment in the past which may impact on future provision?