Every child deserves to feel comfortable, confident, and supported in their paediatric wheelchair. While therapists and clinicians play a key role in wheelchair prescription, many small adjustments can safely be made at home to improve comfort, posture, and everyday function.
Customising a kids wheelchair doesn’t mean complex tools or technical knowledge — it means thoughtful, guided adjustments that reflect your child’s unique needs, growth, and daily routines.
Introduction: Supporting Children’s Comfort and Mobility
A well-fitted adjustable wheelchair for kids helps children move more freely, sit more comfortably, and participate more fully in school, therapy, and family life. But as children grow, their needs change — and their wheelchair should grow with them.
Parents often notice subtle signs that adjustments are needed: slouching, discomfort, fatigue, or difficulty self-propelling. Making safe, simple changes at home can improve posture, reduce strain, and enhance independence — all while supporting your child’s confidence and wellbeing.
Understanding Your Child’s Needs
Growth Considerations
Children grow quickly, and a wheelchair that fit well six months ago may no longer provide optimal support today. A growable paediatric wheelchair is designed to adapt to changes in:
- Height
- Leg length
- Trunk control
- Activity levels
Signs that growth adjustments may be needed include knees extending beyond the seat edge, feet no longer resting flat on footplates, or a backrest that feels too low or too high.
Regularly reviewing your child’s seating setup helps maintain comfort and prevent secondary issues such as pressure areas, muscle fatigue, or postural asymmetry.
Postural Support and Safety
Posture plays a critical role in:
- Comfort
- Breathing and digestion
- Upper limb function
- Endurance and attention
A well-adjusted child wheelchair should support:
- A neutral pelvis
- Upright trunk alignment
- Head and neck stability (especially in a children’s wheelchair with headrest)
- Feet positioned flat and supported
If posture is compromised, even a lightweight paediatric wheelchair can feel difficult to use and uncomfortable over time.
Simple At-Home Adjustments
Adjusting Seat Depth and Backrest Height
Most adjustable wheelchair for kids models allow you to:
- Increase or decrease seat depth to support the full length of the thighs without pressing behind the knees
- Raise or lower the backrest to provide proper trunk support while allowing free shoulder movement
These adjustments improve comfort, reduce pressure risk, and enhance functional mobility — especially for children who self-propel.
Adding Cushions, Butterfly Seat Belts, and Calf Supports
Simple accessories can significantly improve positioning and safety:
- Cushions – Provide pressure relief and improve pelvic stability
- Butterfly seat belts or pelvic belts – Support pelvic alignment and prevent sliding
- Calf supports – Improve lower limb positioning and reduce fatigue
These supports are especially helpful for children with reduced trunk control, muscle tone challenges, or fatigue-related postural changes.
Personalising Footrests and Handrails
Footrests and arm supports should be:
- Adjusted to the correct height
- Positioned to avoid pressure behind the knees
- Set to allow safe transfers and comfortable sitting
Handrails, push handles, or armrests can also be customised to suit your child’s daily activities, self-propulsion needs, and caregiver support.
Personal touches — such as colour accents, spoke guards, or name labels — can also make a wheelchair for disabled children feel more personal, empowering, and age-appropriate.
Safety Precautions While Customising
Ensuring Stability and Proper Assembly
Any adjustment should:
- Follow manufacturer guidelines
- Use original parts where possible
- Be securely tightened
- Be tested for stability before use
After making changes, observe your child’s posture, comfort, and mobility over the next few days to ensure the adjustments are working as intended.
Avoiding DIY Modifications That Compromise Safety
Avoid:
- Drilling into frames
- Using non-approved parts
- Altering weight-bearing structures
- Making changes that affect braking, wheel alignment, or balance
If unsure, it’s always best to consult your therapist or equipment provider. Safety should never be compromised for convenience.
Using NDIS and Hire Options to Test Customisations
Short-Term Wheelchair Hire for Testing
If your child’s needs are changing or you’re trialling different setups, hiring a kids wheelchair can be a practical solution. Through Assistive Tech Hub’s wheelchair hire service or rental enquiry page, families can explore different configurations before committing to a long-term solution.
This is especially helpful for:
- Post-surgery recovery
- Growth spurts
- Trialling postural supports
- Waiting for NDIS funding approval
Working with Therapists and Support Providers
Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and support coordinators play a key role in:
- Assessing posture and mobility needs
- Recommending safe adjustments
- Supporting NDIS applications for equipment funding
Families seeking an NDIS paediatric wheelchair or a wheelchair for kids NDIS Victoria may be eligible for funding support based on clinical need and functional impact.
For personalised guidance, families can contact Assistive Tech Hub to discuss options, trials, and funding pathways.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways
Customising your child’s wheelchair at home can make a meaningful difference in comfort, posture, and daily participation.
- Parents can safely adjust and personalise wheelchairs to enhance comfort and support
- Growth and postural needs should guide all customisation decisions
- Hire options and professional advice reduce risk and ensure proper fit
- Safe adjustments improve mobility, independence, and engagement for children
Explore the Growmate Paediatric Wheelchair for a growable, lightweight solution designed to support your child’s comfort and independence.
Contact us for wheelchair hire, expert guidance, and personalised support from our caring team.
