Wheelchair Seating Assessment: Positioning the Head

Presented by Michelle L. Lange

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An updated version of this course will be available in our catalog soon. Check our catalog in early 2025 for the new course titled Wheelchair Positioning: The Head. Once the new course launches this course will not be available.

Video Runtime: 59 Minutes; Learning Assessment Runtime: 36 Minutes

Does every client need head positioning as a part of a wheelchair seating system? No, many clients have adequate head control so that no further support is needed. However, many other clients require intervention to achieve and maintain an upright head position. An upright head is essential to optimize vision, breathing and swallowing. In this course we'll show demonstrations for seating interventions, different head supports, and various seating components as a part of posterior head support.

Meet your instructor

Michelle L. Lange

Michelle is an occupational therapist with 35 years of experience and has been in private practice, Access to Independence, for over 15 years. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally, and has authored numerous texts, chapters, and articles. She is the coeditor of Seating and Wheeled Mobility:…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Positioning the Head: Causes and General Intervention

1. Positioning the Head: Causes and General Intervention

This chapter will present causes of decreased or lack of head control and present general strategies to optimize head control. An upright head is critical to vision, breathing and swallowing.

Positioning the Head: Decreased Head Control

2. Positioning the Head: Decreased Head Control

This chapter will address clients who have decreased head control and interventions to facilitate a more upright head, including posterior head supports.

Positioning the Head: No Head Control

3. Positioning the Head: No Head Control

This chapter will address clients with little or no head control who require support posteriorly, but also anteriorly.