Mobility
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Mobility simply means movement. Mobility for children with a disability can mean many things. This page provides practical information about the different kinds of mobility possible for children with a range of physical disabilities.
On this page
Floor mobility
Refers to how a child moves on the floor. It may include:
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Standing and walking
Standing and walking can happen with help or without help, from either people or equipment. It includes:
Send a Novita physiotherapist an on-line message or make contact at one of the Novita Service Area officesfor more information.
Other movement (gross motor) skills
Gross movement, or gross motor skills are physical skills that involve large movements. For example:
Floor mobility- Standing and walking (as described above)
- Running
- Jumping
- Hopping
- Skipping....and more
Joining in with physical education lessons at school can be a good way to improve gross motor skills. The physiotherapist can help to work out how to get the best result from these activities.
Go to the Leisure and Recreation page for details of places you can go to for physical recreation.
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Transfers
Transfers are about how your child moves from one position to another. Some examples include:
- sitting on the floor to standing
- standing to sitting on a chair
- sitting on the floor to sitting on a chair
- moving from a wheelchair to the toilet
- getting in and out of the bath.
Wheelchair mobility
Wheelchair mobility is about moving about in a wheelchair. It can include:
- using special large size strollers and buggies for children who have outgrown their regular strollers and where special support is needed
- getting a wheelchair
using wheelchairs that may be powered, self propelled or pushed- using powered and manual castor carts for young children.
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Trying out powered wheelchair driving
What is a powered wheelchair?
A powered wheelchair is a wheelchair (with or without special seating support) that has a motor to move it. The motor is powered by batteries and controlled by a choice of hand, foot or head controls, depending on the abilities of the user.
Being able to drive a powered wheelchair provides many benefits for children with physical disabilities, such as:
- independence
- chances to explore and learn about the world
- opportunities to travel over longer distances
- ability to move more quickly using less energy
- chances to join in with friends and activities
- opportunity to become involved in wheelchair sport.
Many things will need to be taken into account when considering powered mobility. View the following factsheets:
David's story
Learning to drive a powered chair for the first time can be a liberating and powerful experience. View the story 
My Wonderful Driving (PDF - 250Kb) put together by David with the help of the staff at the Riverland Special School.
Manual Wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs are wheelchairs where the person in the chair can push themself. There are many different types of manual wheelchairs. Physiotherapists can help find the one that is most suitable.
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Push chairs
Pushchairs suit people who cannot push a manual wheelchair or drive a powered wheelchair and therefore need someone to push it for them. There are many different types of pushchairs available. Physiotherapists can help find the one that best suits.
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Frequently asked questions about mobility
How can I help my child to walk?
That depends on what stage your child is at. Talk to your physiotherapist about what the next stage might be and how you can help to achieve that.
Can splints help my child to walk?
Splints, such as ankle foot orthoses, can help to control the position and movements of the child’s feet. Other resting splints such as night splints for ankles and feet, or knee splints, might also help your child.
View the factsheet Ankle Foot Orthoses (PDF - 48Kb)
Talk to your physiotherapist for more information.
Which wheelchair is best for my child?
That depends on lots of things such as whether they can push themselves, sitting skills, where it will be used, how it will be transported, and many more. See the section on Wheelchair mobility on this page and the Equipment Service page for more information.
How can I get my child involved and interested in sport?
There are many ways to find out sport and recreation activities that you child might enjoy. Talk to your physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
Novita also has a new program aiming to help Novita’s kids to get active by providing a specialised, supportive and practical ‘linkup’ service between children with disabilities and community sporting groups in the Adelaide metropolitan area. This is the ConnectABILITY program - view information on the ConnectABILITY page.
For further information
Books and journal articles
The following books may be obtained through the Novita Toy & Resource Centre. If you are registered with the Centre, you can borrow them by completing the on-line request form.
- Furumasu, J (1997). Pediatric Powered Mobility: Developmental Perspectives, Technical Issues, Clinical Approaches. RESNA, United States of America
- First international symposium on controls for access and powered mobility, September 16-18, 1994, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Ready, Set, Go: Powered Mobility With Young Children (video and written material). Los Amigos Research and Education Institute Inc.
- Gagalowicz, A (1995). Wheels Within Wheels - A Guide To Safe Vehicle Travel For Wheelchair Users. NRMA - ACT Road Safety Trust, ACT, Australia
- Novita Van Booklet (a book that provides information to help people select a van that is to be used to transport a person with a disability)
- Teft et al. (1999). Cognitive Predictors of Young Children’s Readiness for Powered Mobility. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 41: 665-670
Registration and licensing information help line
Telephone 13 1084 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)
Disclaimer Detail: The above information on is of a general nature only and does not constitute advice. Novita Children's Services makes no representations, express or implied, as to the accuracy, usefulness, suitability or application of the information to a child's particular circumstances. Use of the information above is at your sole risk, and you should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the information. Novita Children's Services accepts no liability for any damages or loss that may arise from the use of, or any omission from, the information provided.
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