Supporting a child with a Wizzybug
The following information will help you to understand more about our Wizzybug powered wheelchair and how it works, to help you decide if it’s the most appropriate form of mobility for a child you are supporting.
Powered to Play
Join us as we champion, educate and celebrate the role of powered mobility in children’s lives.
The benefits of early access to powered mobility
Every child deserves the freedom to move, explore and play on their own terms. Yet for many children with mobility needs, access to a powered wheelchair comes too late, or not at all.
Research shows that early access to powered mobility is hugely beneficial for long-term developmental, physical, and emotional outcomes. Toddlers as young as 14 months old can control a joystick and benefit from independent movement.
Powered wheelchairs like Wizzybugs support independence, build social skills, and provide opportunities for spontaneous, joy-filled play – something every child deserves.
We have developed some printable powered wheelchair play resources to support these skills.
Publications and research articles
Powered mobility interventions for very young children with mobility limitations to aid participation and positive development: the EMPoWER evidence synthesis.
Evans, N. and Baines, R. (2017) Trends, goals and outcomes for children and families using early powered mobility in a charitable loan scheme. Journal of Enabling Technologies, Vol. 11 Issue: 4, pp.138-147.
Livingstone, R. and Paleg, G. (2013) Practice considerations for the introduction and use of power mobility for children. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 56: 210–222.
Rosen, L., Plummer, T., Sabet, A., Lange, M.L., Livingstone, R. (2017) RESNA Position on the Application of Power Mobility Devices for Pediatric Users.
Livingstone, R. and Field, D. (2014) Systematic review of power mobility outcomes for infants, children and adolescents with mobility limitations. Clinical Rehabilitation, Vol. 28(10) 954 –964.
Bray, N., Noyes, J., Edwards R.T. and Harris, N. (2014) Wheelchair interventions, services and provision for disabled children. A mixed methods systematic review and conceptual framework. BMC Health Services Research, 14:309.
Jones, M.A., McEwen, I.R. and Neas, B.R. (2012) Effects of power wheelchairs on the development and function of young children with severe motor impairments. Physical Therapy, 131-140.
Livingstone R. and Field, D. (2015) The child and family experience of power mobility: a qualitative synthesis. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 57: 317–327.
Would you like us to speak to your team?
We are always happy to pass on our expertise in Early Years Powered Mobility and the benefits of children having access to a Wizzybug powered wheelchair.