Seating for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Special seating enables children with even the most severe forms of cerebral palsy to sit comfortably. A straight spine and mobile hips are desirable. Prevention of hip dislocation by operation, or release of a hip extension contracture, is required for 40% of the younger children. Surgical correction of scoliosis is required for 20% of the older ones. Seating problems may be classified by (a) ability--hands free, hand dependent or propped--(b) the pattern of deformity--symmetrically slouched or windswept--and (c) severity of deformity--none, amenable to surgery, or beyond surgery. Each of these categories requires a different therapeutic approach.