Mobility aids and equipment

Some children living with spina bifida will need a wheelchair. Children who need wheelchairs will be introduced to them during their preschool years, allowing for greater independence and time to develop safe wheelchair skills.

There are many types of wheelchairs. Your child’s occupational therapist will help choose the most appropriate wheelchair and teach your child how to use it.

Wheelchair types include:

• manual wheelchairs
• folding wheelchairs for children who tire easily.
• fixed-frame manual wheelchairs

People who use a wheelchair need to check their skin twice a day to protect from pressure injuries. See Pressure injuries factsheet. 

Walking aids support a child’s weight as they stand and walk. They also help with balance. A physiotherapist can assist in prescribing your child with the correct walking aid and how best to use them.

These are custom-made splints, moulded from special plastic and metal, to support your child’s legs for walking, maintain foot positioning in a wheelchair, and prevent muscles tightening across joints at night. 

They should be reviewed by an orthotist every six months and need to be cleaned regularly and inspected for any signs of wear-and-tear.

Children living with spina bifida can have weakness in their legs, caused by the impact on their spine. Children may also have difficulty feeling and sensing pain, temperature, touch and position. 

Careful leg positioning and daily skin inspections are required to prevent pressure injuries, burns and other serious complications.

Children living with spina bifida, and their parents/carers can benefit from using:

• bath boards and bath benches to make showering easier
• shower chairs
• sliding boards: used to help children move from one surface to another.