Seating systems are a vital part of 24-hour postural management programs. They provide a stable and functional position for children to access their surroundings and engage with everyday tasks. However, seating systems are only beneficial if they fit correctly.
Typically, seats should be reviewed every six months to assess for changes in a child's size or shape. However, differences to daily routine (such as being out of school) can increase the likelihood that body shape has changed, and increase the frequency with which the seat should be reviewed. This resource outlines steps to review the seat with some common signs that a child's seating system is not fitting properly and/or may need some adjustments.
8 steps to review a paediatric seating system for fit
{^widget|(imagealt)Leckey+seating+system|(column1)%3col%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eLook+at+my+face.%26nbsp%3b%3cstrong%3eDo+I+seem+comfortable+and+relaxed+or+am+I+not+my+usual+self%3f%3c%2fstrong%3e%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eNext%2c%26nbsp%3b%3cstrong%3eis+my+bottom+snug+against+the+back+support+with+my+trunk+upright%3f%3c%2fstrong%3e%26nbsp%3bSliding+forward+could+mean+that+I%26%2339%3bve+changed+shape+or+the+belt+has+loosened.+Re-adjust+my+position+if+necessary.%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eNow%26nbsp%3b%3cstrong%3echeck+my+belt%3c%2fstrong%3e%26nbsp%3b-+it+should+be+firmly+attached+over+the+top+of+my+thighs+with+space+for+one+finger+to+fit+underneath.+If+it%26%2339%3bs+too+loose+or+too+tight%2c+I+may+need+to+be+reassessed.%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eFeel+under+my+bottom+and+thighs%3b%26nbsp%3b%3cstrong%3eam+I+bearing+weight+equally+under+each+side%3f%3c%2fstrong%3e%26nbsp%3bThe+weight+should+be+equal+unless+I+have+underlying+asymmetry.%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eNext%2c%26nbsp%3b%3cstrong%3ehow+much+space+is+there+behind+my+knees%3c%2fstrong%3e%26nbsp%3b(between+the+front+edge+of+the+cushion+and+my+calves)%3f+If+there+is+more+than+two+fingers%26%2339%3b+width%2c+my+legs+have+grown+and+my+seat+should+be+re-adjusted.%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3e%3cstrong%3eFeel+underneath+the+front+of+my+thighs%3c%2fstrong%3e.+Am+I+bearing+weight+here%3f+This+is+important.+If+it+is+easy+to+get+your+hands+between+my+thighs+and+the+cushion%2c+then+my+lower+legs+have+grown+and+my+footplates+need+to+be+adjusted+to+improve+the+pressure+distribution.%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3e%3cstrong%3eFeel+the+space+around+my+lateral+and+pelvic+supports%3c%2fstrong%3e%26nbsp%3b-+if+you+can%26%2339%3bt+get+your+hand+in+easily+with+my+normal+clothing%2c+then+I%26%2339%3bve+probably+changed+shape+or+grown+and+need+to+be+reassessed.%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eFinally%2c+back+to+my+face%2c%26nbsp%3b%3cstrong%3eis+my+head+positioned+centrally+on+the+head+support%3f%3c%2fstrong%3e%26nbsp%3bIf+the+trunk+laterals+are+too+low%2c+my+head+and+trunk+may+fall+to+the+side%2c+making+it+difficult+to+sit+up.%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%3c%2fol%3e%0d%0a|(name)layout_2_columns_Text_Image|(align)left|(image)%7e%2fgetmedia%2f298553bb-ac81-4899-b95f-90dec193ff40%2fchild-seating-system.jpg%3fwidth%3d400%26height%3d647%26ext%3d.jpg|(widget_displayname)Column+with+Image|(width)|(height)^}
Note: every child and every set-up is unique. This is generic information and does not apply to molded/contoured seating or asymmetric set-ups.
