Adaptive Car Seats

This week, we were fortunate to have Debra Britton provide a presentation on Car Seat Positioning Equipment. This is a regular training program at Active Mobility Center to promote and educate products to the staff, customers and professionals. If you have an interest in any specific products or services, let our office know so you can receive an invite to the programs.

Car seats are essential and mandatory for small children in motor vehicles. As children grow, or have seating and positioning needs greater than a off the shelf carseat, an Adaptive Car Seat may be necessary.  Off the shelf car seats have been crash tested as they sit so it is not recommended to add any foam/changes to these systems. Although this may work well, it changes the product and places any legal responsibility on this person in the event an accident arises.

Car Seats can be a challenge for parents with special needs, as they are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance carriers. Medicare (Sadmerc) determined coding, and Car Seats as a transportation device and used outside the home are not covered items.  It is important to note that there are alternative funding sources that may be able to help.

Car Seats are more safe than transporting children in their primary mobility systems (ie. wheelchairs) even if transport brackets are added. Transport Brackets, also not funded through most insurance, although allow a place to strap a wheelchair into a bus or van, are not intended, as stated in their owner's manuals, with the use to be seated in the chair while it is strapped down.  Tie downs are a topic for another presentation. 

There are several products available for this purpose including products from; Columbia Medical, Convaid, SnugSeat, and Thomashilfin.  These products should not be looked at as a one product fits all, and each have certain benefits which can help a particular child.

Car Seats

The Traveller Plus EL, Carrie, Hippo, and IPS are all adaptive Car Seats. These system are similar to off the shelf systems, but are larger, and offer more padding and support to provide support and stability for a special needs child/adult.  These systems allow for a 30 pound to over 100 pound person to use them with the abililty to adjust many of them in seat depth. Some of these offer foot supports and some allow the feet to hang.

Booster Car Seats

This category comprised of the Recaro, and Pilot offer another option for support and adjustability. These systems look more like the off the self booster / car seat systems. They work really well, but have limitations in width adjustment.

More Supportive Car Seats

Recently the Carrot and Spirit systems have entered the market, offering supports similar to what you would see in a wheelchair in a car seat. For larger and involved clients needing extensive support; these systems may be the answer.

Common Questions

How do I know what product to Pick?
These products range from $500 to several thousand depending on the options and needs. Choosing a product should include the assistance of a Physiatrist, Physical or Occupational Therapist and a Seating Specialist. Since this equipment is expensive, you do not want to waste valuable resources on the wrong product.

Where do I get these products?
Most Seating and Mobility companies stock Demo's of these products and can assist you in trialing them for fit, and helping make recommendations after discussing the vehicle and assessing the patient with a therapist or physician.

Who Installs these products in my vehicle?
This is getting more difficult due to our litigious society.  There are certified people in the community who install car seats and should be consulted if after reading the directions you have any concerns or questions.

We want to Thank Debra for providing an outstanding training program and look forward to her next topic.  This article was re-written by Carey Britton, Seating Specialist for Active Mobility Center. Carey can be reach at (954) 946-5793 or at cbritton@wheelchairguys.com .