Types of Equipment & FAQs

Adaptive Beds:

• What is an adaptive bed? 
• Adaptive beds come in many shapes and sizes and can range from a full enclosure option with sides and a top to prevent kids from climbing out of the bed in the middle of the night and injuring themselves to a bed option that can elevate the head or foot of the bed for improved postural positioning. They also have mattress options that can be used with a traditional bed frame but can be customized to add increased support.
• Who would benefit from this?
• Beds are commonly ordered for kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other conditions that are closely linked with kids having decreased safety awareness. They are also ordered for kids who have complex positioning needs such as kids who need to have their head elevated at nighttime for overnight feedings through a g-tube.

Activity Chairs:

• What is an activity chair?
• Activity chairs are an alternative seating option that can be used for better positioning during feeding and table activities.
• Who would benefit from this?
• Activity chairs are commonly ordered for kids who have a hard time sitting on their own or who may be able to sit on their own but have a hard time picking up their head or lifting their arms in this positions. This could lead to difficulty with playing and eating while sitting because they have to use so much energy to keep their body upright and don’t have the extra energy to reach and play.

Adaptive Car Seats:

• What is an adaptive car seat?
• Adaptive car seats are similar to a traditional car seat but they provide increased postural support and can be purchased in larger sizes.
• Who would benefit from this?
• Adaptive car seats are a good option if your child has outgrown the maximum size for a traditional car seat but continues to require the extra support from a car seat due to having difficulty sitting upright. They are also an option for kids who have very specific positioning needs that can’t be met with a traditional car seat, such as needing extra head or trunk support.

Adaptive Strollers: 

• What is an adaptive stroller?
• An adaptive stroller is similar to a traditional stroller but can be modified to add extra support for better alignment for kids with difficulty maintaining good posture. They can also come in a greater variety of sizes and can be used for kids for a larger variety of sizes and ages.
• Who would benefit from this?
• Adaptive strollers are commonly ordered for kids who need extra postural support to keep them upright in sitting. We also order them for older kids who are walking but get tired easily and need a little help to walk longer distances or who are unsafe in busy environments (malls, parking lots, etc) and will run away from parents and caregivers.

Bathing/Toileting Systems:

• What is this for?
• These systems come in all shapes and sizes from a small, portable chair that can sit in the bottom of the tub or mount onto the toilet, to a large system on wheels that can allow someone to be rolled into the bathroom and positioned over the toilet or in the shower.
• Who would benefit from this?
• These systems are great for anyone who needs a little extra help with positioning during bathing and using the bathroom. They are often used for small kids who have a hard time sitting on their own and may fall over in the tub, kids who need to be up higher off the ground so family and caregivers can bathe them, or adults who just need a little help with positioning so they can be more independent with self hygiene.

Gait Trainers:

• What is a gait trainer?
• Gait trainers are similar to walkers that you may see an older person use but are designed for younger kids or adults who need more support than they could get from a traditional walker. Gait trainers come in all shapes and sizes from a tiny version of a walker to a product that can provide body weight support and be customized to the patient’s needs.
• Who would benefit from this?
• Gait trainers are great for anyone who needs help standing but will move their legs and attempt to step when supported. These are commonly used for kids who have decreased balance or conditions that impact their ability to use their legs.

Standers:

• What is a stander?
• Standers are a piece of equipment that can be used to support someone in standing.
• Who would benefit from this?
• Standers are ordered for people who are unable to stand on their own or who get tired very quickly with standing so they only stand for a short amount of time. It’s important for anyone over the age of 2 to be standing at least 1 hour/day for bone health, hip alignment, and digestion. Standers can be used for people who are unable to meet this minimum requirement on their own.

How does scheduling work?

• If you are a current patient at PMC, talk to your therapist and ask if equipment maybe right for them.
• If you are not a current patient at PMC, you are still able to get equipment with us! Just call the office and ask to speak with Stephanie, our amazing equipment scheduler.

Does insurance cover it? What does the process look like?

• Here at PMC, our physical therapists work with equipment vendors to stay up to date on all the latest equipment that is released and ways to get it approved. The process starts with a thorough evaluation with the family, physical therapist, and assistive technology professional from an equipment vendor to analyze the client and family’s needs and discuss possible options that would be a good fit. Once a piece of equipment is decided upon, PMC and the equipment company work together to submit all necessary information to the insurance company to justify that the equipment is medically necessary and to try to get it approved. In the rare instance that your insurance company will not cover the equipment, we will also work with you to find other options to get you and your family the equipment you need.

How is this different from something we can get from the store?

• This type of equipment is more personalized than something you could buy from the store. It is specifically designed for the client and their needs and is custom made for them. It can also accommodate a greater range in heights and weights and is designed to grow with the client for long term use. They also provide greater postural support for clients who need a little bit more help to maintain different positions.

Shout out to one of PMC's amazing Physical Therapist, Nature, for sharing this valuable information and answering so many frequently asked questions for us!