3 Key Steps for a Comprehensive Seating Assessment
Guide to Optimal Positioning and Equipment Recommendation
Have you ever been asked to recommend or adjust a child’s seating system—only to realize that identifying what truly needs to change is more complex than it seems? For children and youth with complex disabilities, proper seating and positioning can make all the difference in comfort, function, and participation. A clear, systematic assessment process helps you identify what’s working, what’s not, and what’s possible for every student you serve.
In this session, Pamela Cummings, M.Ed., PT, will walk you through the 3 Key Steps for a Comprehensive Seating Assessment—assessing in the child’s current seating, conducting a mat assessment, and translating the findings into optimal equipment recommendations. You will review essential anatomy for seating, including bony landmarks, common pelvic deviations, and their relationship to the femur, as well as learn how to use practical assessment tools such as the Life Box to evaluate alignment and support needs. You will learn how to analyze posture and alignment across body planes, identify flexible versus fixed deviations, and use biomechanical principles to guide decision-making.
Pam will demonstrate how to connect assessment findings to real-world function—whether improving head and trunk control for communication, enhancing endurance for classroom participation, or increasing comfort for daily routines. Using case examples and visual demonstrations, she will illustrate how each step contributes to selecting appropriate supports and achieving individualized postural goals.
Leave this course with a practical, evidence-informed framework for seating assessments, including Pam’s comprehensive Seating Assessment form. that you can apply right away! Closed Captioned in English
BONUS: PRACTICAL TOOLKIT – Seating Assessment Form; Template – Letter of Medical/Educational Necessity; Resources
Pamela Cummings, M.Ed., PT has over 30 years of experience in various areas of pediatric physical therapy: school-based, home-based, perinatal care, NICU, PICU, inpatient, and clinic-based. She is the Director and PT Consultant for the I-Team Early Intervention Project and the 24-Hour Postural Care Project, supporting local providers in their work with children and young adults with motor disorders. Both projects use a technical assistance and training model and are housed at the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion at the University of Vermont.
Disclosures: Pam receives a speaking fee from Apply EBP, LLC. She has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
At the completion of the course, learners will be able to:
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- Determine 3 impacts of proper positioning on a child or youth’s function and participation in school, at home, or in the community
- Differentiate between the role of a current seating assessment and a mat assessment in the comprehensive evaluation process
- Apply three strategies from the comprehensive seating assessment steps to a case study of a child or youth with complex disabilities.
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1.5 hours of lecture
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- Importance of Proper Positioning
- Essential Anatomy & Biomechanics for Seating
- 3 Keys of a Comprehensive Seating Assessment
- Case Study Application
- Takeaways
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1.5 CE hours of training are awarded after:
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- watching the video, passing the post-test (with a score of 70% or higher), and completing the course evaluation.
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For OTs and OTAs
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- Apply EBP, LLC is an AOTA-approved provider of CEUs (see imprimatur below for details).
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For PTs and PTAs
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- Apply EBP, LLC is an approved provider of CEUs for PTs and PTAs in IL, NM, NY, OK (#BAP202310011), and TX (APS #: 2703055TX)
- This webinar is approved for PTs and PTAs in CA.
- These PT state boards accept approval by other states boards, other state associations, or AOTA: AK, AZ, DE, FL, HI, IN, KS, KY, MA, MI, MT, NC, ND, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, UT, VT, VA, WI, WY and DC.
- These states do not require pre-approval of courses or have no CE requirements for PTs and PTAs: AL, CO, CT, GA, IA, ME, MO, NE, NH and WA
If you would like to obtain CEUs for another state or profession, please email carlo@applyebp.com.
Learners must watch the video and complete course requirements, including scoring 70% or higher in the post-test to receive a certificate. Three (3) post-test retakes are allowed; if you exceed this limit, please email carlo@applyebp.com.
Webinar Price: $65 for 1-Year access to watch and re-watch
Payment Options
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- Pay via Credit Card or PayPal: You are registered instantly!
- Pay via Purchase Order: Email vicki@applyebp.com
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Cancellation Policy
There is no cancellation once webinar is purchased. You will have access to this course for at least 1 year. If the webinar becomes unavailable before the learner has had access, Apply EBP, LLC will refund the full amount to the learner. Please email or call us if you have any questions.
Accommodations Request
Please email or call us before registering for the course with any questions or requests for accommodations. We will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations.
Complaints Resolution
We welcome all feedback. Please email or call us if you have any complaints so that we may work with you towards a resolution.
Contact Info:
Carlo Vialu
646-269-90391 year
You may also want to check out…”School-based PT Essentials: On-demand Symposium for New Practitioners”
Symposium Price: 12 Webinars for $449
Choose a Pricing Option
Testimonials
“I loved this seminar and feel like I can apply everything to my practice.” – PT with 8 years experience, on Pam’s Positioning Strategies webinar
“Pam was so great! Her presentation provided so much valuable information, and everything I learned will be used in my school!” – PTA with 23 years experience, on Pam’s Positioning Strategies webinar
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