Your Child’s Equipment

How to choose equipment

To help figure out what equipment best matches your child’s needs, your child’s therapist will talk to you about different options. Think about your child’s daily activities, what they want to do, and what’s important to your family. The following examples are the types of things you might say.

How is bathtime?

• “My child can’t sit without support.”
• “I need my hands free to clean my child.”
• “My child needs to feel safe to be able to relax in the bath.”

How are meals going?

• “My child gets tired during meals.”
• “My child struggles to feed themselves for the whole meal.”
• “My child needs to sit at the table and eat safely.”

How is your child involved in daily activities?

• “We love to cook as a family and I want my child to help.”
• “One of my child’s chores is to help with the dishes.”
• “My child enjoys crafts and needs to sit and have access to crafting materials.”

How is getting around in the community?

• “My child is too big for a stroller and I can’t carry them far.”
• “My child enjoys being in the community but gets tired easily.”
• “I’m struggling to go places with my child.”

How is your child during play?

• “My child can’t sit without help but they want to play with their siblings and friends.”
• “My child needs to be able to sit on the floor and have their hands free to play.”
• “My child loves being outside and wants to be part of outdoor play.”

The best equipment is equipment that you will use because it works for your child, your family, and the space you live in. You may need to work with your child’s other caregivers, like daycare, school, or their community programs to find the best equipment supports in those settings.

Use this printable worksheet to help you think about equipment supports for your child. Below is an example of a completed worksheet.

Next steps

Talk to the therapist about your child’s daily activities. Tell them where your child struggles. Talk about what is important to you and your family. If you have completed the worksheet, bring it with you.

Your child’s therapist will take all of this information and recommend equipment options that will best meet your child’s needs.

Where to get help

• Health Link at 811
• Your local pediatric community rehabilitation services
• Your doctor, public health nurse, or other healthcare provider

There are funding options for equipment. Talk to your healthcare provider or therapist to see if public funding sources are an option.

To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_childs_equipment_inst.

For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.

Current as of: February 14, 2025

Author: Pediatric Rehabilitation Services, Alberta Health Services

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.