Pediatric rehabilitation: 4. Prescribing assistive technology to promote community integration.

OBJECTIVE: This self-directed learning module highlights the equipment and assistive technology needs of children and youth with disabilities. This article specifically focuses on preparing families and patients for equipment transitions that occur over the course of childhood and adolescence including progressing from stroller to wheelchair to powerchair, as well as job training and use of augmentative communication. It is part of the study guide on pediatric rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pediatric medicine. The goal of this article is to modify the learner's current practice techniques to ensure that assistive technology is used to promote community integration from early childhood through transition and into adulthood. Copyright 2010 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.