Specialist seating systems

Some children with cerebral palsy and other conditions experience whole body spasms and find their posture and movement difficult to control. Currently, children with these difficulties are typically strapped into seating systems which limit their freedom of body movements.

A team at Bath Institute of Medical Engineering, led by Dr Tim Adlam, is designing a new type of seat for such children, with funding from the charity Sparks. PenCRU was part of the team with the specific role to involve families as partners in the research through our Family Faculty.

Tim and his engineering team have designed a seat which moves with the child when whole body spasms occur. The prototype was developed with input from children, parents and therapists. The new ‘dynamic’ seating system aims to provide greater comfort and a more functional seat than conventional designs, potentially improving ability and communication.

Meeting notes

Notes from parent meetings are also available:

‌19th September 2013 Specialist Seating meeting‌

29th September 2010 Wheelchair services meeting