PhysicalTherapy.com Phone: 866-782-6258


Handling Tone in a Seating Evaluation

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS

November 17, 2015

Share:

Question

When tone is variable, how many times do you re-measure or what is your recommendation for how to handle during a seating evaluation?

Answer

These are really challenging clients. If you have enough hands on this client, you want to try to get the best measurements you can. As tone changes, the measurements might seem to change, at least in terms of available range, but body dimension should not change. We can look at the seating intervention that best meets this client's needs over the course of those fluctuations in tone. This might require seeing the client more than once.


michelle lange

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS

Michelle is an occupational therapist with 25 years of experience and former Clinical Director of The Assistive Technology Clinics of The Children’s Hospital of Denver. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally and has authored 7 book chapters and over 175 articles. She is the editor of Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, 4th ed. Michelle is on the teaching faculty of RESNA and the University of Pittsburgh. She is on the RERC on Wheeled Mobility Advisory Board. Michelle is a credentialed ATP, credentialed SMS and is a Senior Disability Analyst of the ABDA.


Related Courses

Wheelchair Seating: Considerations for the Hands-Free Sitter
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #3585Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'It was very well organized'   Read Reviews
Wheelchair seating is designed to provide postural support and alignment, stability for function and mitigate pressure issues. This course will address assessment and intervention when working with a client who can sit without the support of their hands, referred to as the ‘hands-free’ sitter.

The Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS) Certification: An Overview
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #3586Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'Wow, good information in general'   Read Reviews
The Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS) certification recognizes competence in assessment and intervention. This course will cover what this certification is, who the SMS is designed for, why it was developed, why the SMS may be beneficial to a clinician and how to acquire this certification.

Wheelchair Seating: The Mat Assessment
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #3590Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'details of mat assessment were very helpful; good case studies'   Read Reviews
A key component of wheelchair seating evaluation is the mat assessment. This course will present the mat assessment, including supine and sitting, and will include case studies and videos.

Wheelchair Positioning: Pressure
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #3595Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'Liked the refresher for pressure injury staging as well as the different type of seat cushions'   Read Reviews
A main goal of wheelchair seating is pressure management, specifically to prevent development of pressure injuries. This course will present pressure injury definitions, staging, etiology and specific seating interventions.

Wheelchair Positioning: Postural Care
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #3596Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'Instructor was great and informative'   Read Reviews
The goals of wheelchair seating include managing posture and pressure as well as providing stability for function. Postural care addresses positioning outside of the wheelchair, particularly during sleep, and can be used to improve the quality and duration of sleep, promote health and maintain safety during sleep, as well as to minimize, prevent and even reverse orthopedic changes.

Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. By using our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.