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Car seats leaflet

Before looking at specialist car seats, try Halfords or other stores that sell a selection of car seats. There are a number of car seats available with swivel bases, a tilt/recline or that have more support.

We would always recommend trying your child in the car seat and making sure that that you are confident in fitting it into your car before purchasing.

Additional considerations for a child with special needs:

  • Does my child meet the weight and height recommendations for the seat?
  • Are you planning on changing your car in the near future? Not all seats fit or work as well in all vehicles
  • Do you want a swivel seat? These can reduce twisting while lifting your child in/out of the car BUT if the head clearance isn’t sufficient you may find you hit your head on the top of the door opening
  • Does your child need to have their feet supported?
  • How much space is available between their car seat and the seat in front?
  • How much does the car seat tilt when fitted in YOUR car?
  • Is it time to consider changing your car to a wheelchair accessible adapted vehicle? (Grants may be available to have your vehicle converted)
  • If your child has postural difficulties (ie: poor head control) you may want to choose a car seat with enhanced safety features eg: from the i-size category which meets additional safety standards to include side impact collisions.

If a standard seat doesn’t meet your child’s needs, you will need to consider a specialist car seat. Here are some examples of companies that can support:

Some children with special needs may find car travel distressing and keeping them safe can be challenging. Using ‘visual prompt stories’  can  help support their understanding of why they need to sit in a car seat and keep their harness on. Sunshades can also be used to reduce visual distress.

Troubleshooting common car safety issues

The child is escaping out of the harness:

Are the straps on the harness tight enough? Harness clips (to prevent your child pulling their arms out of the harness) can be purchased from companies such as:

The child is pressing the button to undo the harness buckle:

Buckle covers can be purchased from companies such as:

Funding

Specialist car seats are expensive and, unfortunately, they cannot be funded through NHS services. Charities may be able to support with the purchasing of one - more information can be found at: www.disability-grants.org/grants-for-children.html 

Other useful websites

Where are we?

The Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service is based across three locations:

  • Princess of Wales Community Hospital - Tel. 01527 488041
  • Beacon Centre - Tel. 01905 681883
  • Kidderminster Health Centre - Tel. 01562 514520

Website

For more information and ideas to support your child please visit:

Advice

If you would like advice from an Occupational Therapist (OT) about a child’s functional skills, participation in everyday activities, or difficulties with self-help, play or leisure, or if you would like to discuss whether an OT referral is needed, please call:

  • OT Advice Line: 0300 247 0017
  • Open Wednesdays (9am - 12pm) and Thursday’s (1pm - 4pm)