Page 14 - Mobility Management, July/August 2022

ATP Series
CRT in the Classroom
to accommodate that person’s equipment. That’s where the IEP really comes in and says, ‘Sorry it’s a small classroom, but we have to rearrange, because this is what I need to use, and this is how I interact in this environment.’ The onus is on the school to adapt to whatever the equipment is that the child brings in.”
Morgan referenced her observations from June’s Cure SMA conference to suggest how schools could get creative by using technology such as power-assist systems: “So many people there were using SmartDrive [Permobil’s power-assist system] and talking about how they have their power chair that is at home, but they use the SmartDrive when they’re going out and about. SmartDrive might not be a poor thing for a school to own, and to use it on multiple manual chairs, to give kids some opportunity to be independent and getting to the playground and to the other places. They’re probably not going to use it within the classroom as much, but moving around and physical education classes and places like that obviously are going to be important.”
Kiger suggested another way schools can get creative indoors: “What if they say, ‘Sorry, that F5 [standing wheelchair] cannot fit in this classroom’? I’d say, ‘Okay, can you get an activity chair that’s adjustable to the child?’ The child’s not going to need to move a ton in the classroom — that’s still nails-on-a-chalkboard
to me, because every other child can get up and walk around. But we can transfer them to this activity chair, a lot of which come
on wheels. There are ones that roll them up to their desk, and they can engage. But when it comes to going outdoors or going to the cafeteria, or switching classes, absolutely there should be no reason [not to use that power chair].”
Inclusion Is Everything
Ultimately, Kiger and Morgan argued for inclusion above all. “Let’s say it’s a teenager, a high school student that’s very
dependent and is likely not going to be getting in and out of their chair,” Morgan said. “They’re going to use their chair and stay in it the whole school day. That’s one scenario.
“Then you have scenario B, where it’s a little kiddo who is able to do some transferring out. He’s going to be popping in and sitting in the typical chair that the other kids are sitting in. So you have variations. The biggest thing I like seeing is the integra- tion with typical peers that don’t use equipment.”
She noted classrooms that offer different seating — therapy balls, rocking chairs, wobble chairs. “Giving the child with special needs that same ability to choose and use different types of seating in the classroom is a really good thing. They might be
14 JULY-AUGUST2022|MOBILITYMANAGEMENT Untitled-10 1
MobilityMgmt.com
6/10/22 1:32 PM
Power Attachment for Manual Wheelchairs
POWER TO DO MORE
Discover the Advantage of the Companion Power Assist
Learn more online at www.cheelcare.com/companion