4MyChild: Help and Hope for Life

November 15, 2006

Special Needs Car Seats: Finding a Comfortable Car Seat for Your Child with Cerebral Palsy

One of the chief complaints parents have about their children’s car seats is comfort. The hard shell can often hurt their children who are sometimes twisted into the seat. Another issue is the constant washing required. Manufacturers seem to make their car seats almost impossible to keep clean.

Be on the look out, particularly with children under two who may not be able to express why they are in pain or why their leg hurts.

Some car seats have large raised bumps that can be felt through the padding.

Check yourself before buying one, run your hand under the fabric and see if there are any protrusions that could bother your child.

You can get multi-position seating car seats for children that have been adapted for special needs.

One company, The Special Tomato Multi-Positioning Car Seat , offers a wide range of sizes, their adaptive car seats start at sizing for children 20lbs+. Most parents have rated the Tomato brand as being their favorite.

The seats allow for customized adjustments, cushions are made to be soft yet strong and waterproof. You can also get lateral head supports.

They are expensive, however most insurance companies will cover for them if your child is unable to use a standard car seat.

The Recaro car is used by many families with special needs kids. At around $350.00 It is more affordable than the Tomato brand .
Another favorite, the Recaro, is not an adaptive car seat but it is well made and very comfortable. Many parents are happy with this model.

Other sites that carry adaptive car seats:

http://www.snugseat.com/
http://www.americandiscountmed.com/202_pediatric.php?order=description&type=asc

For more information on types of car seats available and suitable for special needs babies and children, here is a useful chart that will help you decide which car seat is best,
http://www.aap.org/family/specialcarseatschart.doc