Online Workshop – More Than 4 Wheels

MORE THAN 4 WHEELS: Assessment and Prescription to Maximize Seated Posture, Wheelchair Propulsion and Overall Function in a Work/Rest Environment

Register for One Day or Both!

This two day workshop will explore how seated posture affects the overall capacity of the client (day one – adult and geriatric, day two- pediatric) to function and be mobile on a day to day basis.  We will be reviewing current theory as well as the challenges of virtual assessments and how these have impacted our clients’ lives and mobility. 

Day one will focus on the adult and geriatric population.  Seating is critical to prevent injury and enhance function and must be considered before propulsion decisions. This is an important review of the critical need to prescribe seating and mobility systems that provide not only pressure management, but the ability to maintain autonomy, safety and independent propulsion without postural deviation or pain. We will review how to complete a MAT assessment and client measurements to gain the appropriate product measurements.  We will look at the important leading questions to ask the client in order to develop a critical pathway to best practice.  This must include client choice as well as justification of simulated postures to gain a final prescription.    Participants will be guided through body mechanics and pain/pressure points in order to understand how customizing seating can make a difference to comfort and pain reduction as well as promoting head position to enhance swallowing, breathing, and functional eye gaze.  We will address pain references, body shape, muscle tone, asymmetries and skin integrity.  A review will be completed on how posterior pelvic support and posterior lateral rib cage support will assist with thoracic extension for improved posture and propulsion whether it be by hand, foot or power. Participants will have the opportunity to understand and ultimately practice propulsion theories in their own clinic settings.  Propulsion styles include hand, foot  and  one-hand/one-foot propulsion. Through a review of wheelchair set up including centre of mass, centre of gravity, vertical and horizontal wheel position, we will understand how wheelchair set up can greatly affect chair performance and reduce the influence of wheeling resistance and inertia.   A brief overview of power wheelchair prescription will also be completed.  Overall this course will give you the tools to complete a thorough seating and mobility assessment in a timely and efficient manner, as well as to understand your role and that of the vendor to maintain a team approach to maximize the provision of wheeled mobility and seating systems.

Learning Objectives: Day 1 – Adult and geriatrics – September 10, 2021 8:30am-4:30pm MST

Day Two will focus on the pediatric population and their unique needs related to physical and cognitive growth.  We will also review the impact of primitive reflexes on postural control and function.  Understanding the development and role of the hip joint in sitting as well as spinal changes will be reviewed with respect to the development of potential asymmetries in the younger child.  We will review how to complete a MAT Assessment which will include determining tone, and forces required for postural correction. Three point positioning is critical to control posture for prevention as well as correction of asymmetries.  A discussion will be completed with respect to the “lifebox” elongation and the impact that seating has on physiological functioning including eating, breathing, circulation and bowel evacuation.  Simulation of shape is critical to enhance postural development. We will therefore be reviewing the components of shape and design and how to ensure that the shape required is provided through the seating while also respecting the forces of gravity related to changes in orientation in space or dynamic tilt. Consideration of the provision of powered mobility and the critical components required for learning to “drive”, will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives: Day 2 – Pediatrics – September 11, 2021 8:00am – 3:00pm MST

About the presenter: Sheila Buck is an Occupational Therapist and owner of her Seating and Mobility Consulting company Therapy NOW in Ontario, Canada. Sheila has spoken extensively in Ireland, Norway,  New Zealand, and North America on Seating and Mobility concepts for the very young to the very old. Her audiences have included but are not limited to Physio and Occupational Therapists, nurses, doctors, case managers, DME vendors and manufacturers of seating and mobility products.  Her extensive knowledge related to the provision of assistive technology for mobility is reflected in her book, “More Than 4 Wheels:  Applying clinical practice to seating, mobility and assistive technology. 3rd edition”. This excellent clinical guide is currently being used as a learning tool around the world with over 1500 copies sold. Sheila is also a contributing author in the recently published “Seating and Wheeled Mobility: A Clinical Resource Guide”.  Sheila is known for her dynamic sessions which are enhanced by demonstrations of practical suggestions, as well as her compassion for her clients and advancing her learning and skills to those she works with.