Abstract of V. Kindler lecture

FROM INDEPENDENCE TO AUTONOMY – THE USE OF

POWERED MOBILITY BY YOUNG CHILDREN

V. Kindler, M. Waisman Nitzan

Dvorah Agmon Preschool Development Center, Israel

Children diagnosed as having Cerebral Palsy with impairments in their

independent mobility, are at risk for participation in different activities

of their daily lives. The GMFCS (Gross Motor Function Classification

System) shows that children at level III – V on that scale will use

mobility aids including the use of a powered wheelchair. Evidence of

the benefits of powered mobility for children with cerebral palsy in the

social, emotional, and cognitive aspects is accumulating. Yet, the use

of powered mobility is still not as widespread as expected among

therapists and families. This paper will provide a review of the

research on powered mobility with young children, and will discuss

both the habilitation teams’ clinical reasoning and the families’

decision making process regarding the implementation of powered

mobility with these children. We will also describe the contribution of

powered mobility to the participation ability of young children with

cerebral palsy; describe the variety of assistive technology mobility

solutions in relation to the different GMFCS levels, and present the

perspectives and dilemmas of families and habilitation teams

regarding the use of powered mobility. The every day use of powered

mobility is influenced by both child and family factors. These are

intertwined with the practical experiences and opportunities for

powered mobility use. We believe that the term “confined to a wheel

chair” is wrongly used. Powered mobility is not merely a way of

independent movement but rather a way for the child to discover and

build his own autonomy.