Written by Hulet Smith, OT
Quality of life for disabled children is significantly and positively impacted through social connectedness and a sense of belonging. A pediatric stander increases classroom participation, enjoyment of leisure activities, and engagement with peers. This piece of equipment helps kids who are paralyzed or have other mobility challenges stand, which assists with improved pulmonary function, musculoskeletal development, intestinal motility, and postural control. A pediatric stander will also help them participate as much as possible in activities at home and at school, contributing to meaningful connections with others forged through shared experiences.
A pediatric stander is a therapeutic piece of adaptive equipment that helps children with physical limitations stand. Common problems that children who have disorders that restrict independent mobility include fractures, constipation, hips dislocation, tight tendons, casts, and braces. These issues can be treated by time spent in a pediatric stander bearing weight on the legs. It is a frame that holds the user in various positions, including upright, laying on the stomach, or laying on the back. A pediatric stander, also known as an adaptive stander or standing frame, provides weight-bearing support to foster user mobility.
 | Rabbit-Up Pediatric Stander View Product |
With a prone stander, the user is tilted forward, with all bodyweight supported by the stander in an upright position. This design allows for eye-level peer interaction while still having adequate trunk support. Prone standers work well for children with contractures of the hips and knees, allowing for standing in a flexed posture over long periods of time to improve range of motion. A pediatric prone stander also helps engage neck and trunk extensor muscles to keep the head up, provides pressure relief for kids who otherwise would be in a wheelchair, and promotes easy transfers for kids who have good neck and head control.
 | TherAdapt Supine Stander with Tray for Kids View Product |
Providing the best support for children who have little or no head control, a supine stander can support the entire bodyweight of the child lying flat or nearly flat on their back. The stander is then adjusted toward an upright position a little at a time, gradually putting weight on the child’s legs. This design is the easiest for caregivers of children who require complete assistance for all transfers, especially with teens and young adults who are heavier and harder to lift, aa moving someone immobile onto their back is easier than transferring them in an upright position.
 | Smirthwaite Buddy Entry-Level Vertical Stander View Product |
A vertical stander, also known as an upright stander, is always in a fully upright position, and provides support to the front of the body. A vertical stander doesn’t tilt forward like a prone stander. Upright standers require less space than prone or supine standers, have fewer support pieces, and they cost less. These standers work best with very small children who can be lifted in and out easily, while larger children usually transfer from a seated to a standing position with the help of foot, knee, and rear supports. When moved close to a table or counter, this type of stander helps facilitate participation in activities at home or in the classroom.
Children, and their needs, are unique. What works great for one child might not be as helpful for another. And what works well at one point in time might not provide the same benefits as a child grows and develops. When choosing a pediatric stander, there are several design options that make it possible to create an individualized user experience tailored to the needs of your child.
A stationary stander, also called a static stander or passive stander, cannot be self-propelled. If a child can’t stand at all, this is a good choice. A caregiver can move the child with the help of smaller wheels if the stander has them, but the child cannot move about independently. This type of stander is focused entirely on the therapeutic benefits of standing while being well supported, and can be counted on to provide multiple points of support to keep a child who cannot independently bear weight safely and comfortably upright. It is best for children who have good head and neck control.
 | Bailey Tip Resistant Individual Standing Boxes View Product |
Resembling an enclosed podium, an individual standing box is a tip-resistant passive stander that provides mild support for children and adults who are just beginning to stand independently for periods of time while working on something. A standing box is a great piece of adaptive equipment in the workplace, at school, or in a therapy environment.
| Rabbit-Up Pediatric Stander View Product |
A pediatric stander that has the suspension and durability to handle uneven terrain makes outdoor play and exploration possible. An outdoor-use stander provides a level of autonomy and independence for users who have the ability to propel themselves over rough ground and participate in more physical activities with peers.
 | Leckey Mygo Modular Customizable Pediatric Stander System View Product |
A pediatric special needs stander that has multiple points of adjustment and a long list of optional accessories helps you create a stander to adapt to and work with the positioning and support needs of the individual user. A stander that is completely customizable can vary the level of support to increase the user’s ability to stand upright.
 | Buddy Size 2 Entry-Level Vertical Stander by Smirthwaite View Product |
Some kids don’t have physical limitations that require a lot of support, but they do benefit from being secured in a stander. Ideal for kids in classrooms, care facilities, or at home, this type of stander helps a child get around better and stand with much less effort.
 | TherAdapt Vertical Stander for Kids View Product |
 | Prone Stander by TherAdapt View Product |
Standers with an optional desk attachment provide the appropriate support in school for young students to bear weight through the legs. It allows a child to be at eye-level with classmates along and enjoy a built-in desk for school work, snacks, or other common activities requiring a hard surface. Being able to participate in activities, alongside peers promotes inclusiveness in the classroom.
 | Superstand Standing Frame View Product |
An adjustable 3-in-1 stander can be used in a school or therapy environment to serve multiple children. Or, if used with one child, this design allows for individualized support according to that child’s own capabilities. The multiple positioning options serve every child where they are, with the goal to help any user progress to a more upright position.
 | Granstand III Modular Standing System View Product |
A stander with a growable frame can be adjusted to accommodate users of different sizes as well as children’s growth. Users will grow and their abilities will change. A stander that can be adapted to changing size and support needs has more to offer than standers that can’t be adjusted. Investing in a piece of equipment that has an extended service life because of its adaptability will serve users and their caregivers well into the future.
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Early intervention is often the key to progress for kids with special needs. A stander that can serve a child as young as a year old can impact the development of the strength and balance needed to reach maximum ability to bear weight and increase mobility as a baby grows.
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Diminished strength and ability to bear weight is a common challenge for kids and young adults who benefit from standers. A stander that doubles as a body-strengthener contributes even more therapeutic benefit to users who need to build strength and weight-bearing ability in their lower extremities.
 | EasyStand Original Evolv Sit To Stand Standing Frame Packages View Product |
Sit and stand models build muscle tone, confidence, and independence. A stander that acts as a seat and then allows a user to move to a standing position facilitates easy self-managed transfers between sitting and standing. Increasing strength and providing independent mobility options contribute to a better classroom experience for the user.
 | 4-Person Pediatric Standing Table, Individually Adjustable, Scratch-Resistant, Can Be Used with Braces, by Bailey View Product |
These models equip a classroom or therapy space to serve multiple children who need standing support with a group station for work or play. This provides kids with the physical support they need along with valuable social interaction, learning opportunities, and a group work or play space while they are participating in a standing program.
When a child is living with one or more disabilities, every opportunity to help that child reach their full potential and allow them to have the highest level of life satisfaction possible should be embraced. A pediatric stander dedicated to adding to the quality of life and optimal good health of a special needs child can make a big impact on quality of life.
An adjustable supine pediatric stander can be positioned horizontally to make transfers from a wheelchair easier on a caregiver. Once the child is secured while lying flat, the stander is tilted so the user is upright at eye-level with peers and classmates.
 | Meerkat Upright Standing Frame View Product |
With stereotypic movement disorder, or body rocking, a person engages in repetitive, often rhythmic, but purposeless movements. It is most common with children with autism, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities. The movements tend to be a self-soothing mechanism and often increase if the person is stressed, frustrated, or bored. A pediatric standing frame that allows for this self-soothing can help keep a child calm, especially when stressed in a social or group situation.
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When lung secretions don’t move and cause lung congestion, positioning a child so gravity assists with broncho-pulmonary drainage helps keep the lungs clear. A pediatric stander that can tilt from vertical to 15 degrees past horizontal provides excellent positioning to support respiratory therapy and facilitate postural drainage.
| Smirthwaite Buddy Entry-Level Vertical Stander View Product |
Since early intervention can often head off long-term mobility issues, providing standing support for young children can mitigate or eliminate problems standing or walking when they get older. An adjustable pediatric stander that rolls easily, fits through standard doorways, and facilitates participation in classroom activities is a great choice for use at school.
 | Large Rifton Pediatric Mobile Stander View Product |
For children who cannot bear any weight, a stander with a specifically designed seat pad to hold their weight will allow them to be upright and positioned at peer eye level rather than sitting down in a wheelchair. Adjustability is key to ensure proper support is provided to maintain the safety and comfort of the user.
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Independent self-initiated movement helps develop neural and motor skills. A pediatric stander that provides the opportunity to self-propel and enjoy hands-free exploration of the surrounding environment greatly benefits kids with mobility challenges.
It’s important that all children start standing at an early age before contractures develop, and standing provides the added benefit of eye-level peer interaction fostering communication and social connections. Kids who can self-propel in a wheelchair are great candidates for standers with large wheels that allow them to independently get around and explore their world with friends and classmates.
The ability to self-propel grants a level of independence to the child while freeing the caregiver up from having to manage the child’s mobility needs. Self-propelled standers allow children to go where they want to go. If a child is unable to manage independent movement, a pediatric stander that is pushed will require a caregiver that’s responsible for moving the child from one place to another.
For classroom work, fun activities, and even eating, a tray attached to a pediatric stander makes it not just a mobility aid, but a functional work surface as well.
Children’s needs change as they grow and progress. A pediatric stander that has accessories that are easily mounted and changed out will provide the proper support even as a child’s abilities and requirements evolve.
As a large piece of equipment, it’s not always realistic to expect a stander will go from school to home to therapy sessions. The availability and ability of a caregiver to load and unload a child onto a stander should be considered. Supine standers that load at waist height and go completely flat usually cause the least physical strain on caregivers. If a stander is going to be transported between school and home, height, foldability, and portability are all factors. Different floor surfaces and doorway widths that can impact maneuverability are also considerations. For classroom use, a stander might serve multiple children in a day, so adjustability will figure prominently in a purchasing choice for schools.
To ensure a comfortable fit, and above all safety, weight capacity must not be exceeded. Careful measurements are necessary to make sure a pediatric stander is properly sized.
The amount of standing support needed will dramatically influence the purchasing options you have. Head control and upper body function have the most impact on this choice. Many standers can be configured in more than one position, which is valuable since a child's standing tolerance and head control may improve over time. With different levels of support available, the current and anticipated needs of the child should be considered when buying a pediatric stander. The goal is to require less support as time goes on, so kids can transition to a more independent level of mobility.
A pre-packaged option is less expensive, and can suit a broader range of users in a setting where more than one child will be using a stander in a day. For equipment that will be used by only one child, it’s more expensive to create a customized solution, but it a great fit is guaranteed.
An adjustable frame provides options for serving multiple children in a day or simply growing along with a single child. The more options for adjustability, the more potential use a pediatric stander will have.
Durability and weight are both impacted by the frame material of a pediatric stander. If self-propulsion is a determining factor in a purchasing decision, a lightweight frame is a must. If you’re looking for the ultimate stability, perhaps a heavier wood model is the best choice.
If there is more than one user in a day, as there could be in a school setting, a durable and highly adjustable pediatric stander is going to provide the best return on investment.
Some pediatric standers come assembled, some require some assembly, and some offer the option of paying a fee for a technician to assemble.
Pediatric standers can either be static or dynamic. A static, or passive stander remains in one place. It might even have casters, but can’t be self-propelled and is meant to stay put. A dynamic, or mobile stander allows the user with sufficient strength to self-propel via the same mechanism used with a manual wheelchair.
The foldability and portability of a stander becomes an important feature if space is at a premium and the stander isn’t going to be in use all the time. Being able to fold it up and get it out of the way when not in use is attractive for smaller spaces or crowded classrooms.
A: Pediatric standers, also known as standing frames, provide postural support for children with limited mobility who can’t independently maintain an upright position.
A: They allow children to spend time in an upright position in an effort to improve weight-bearing ability. They also get kids at eye-level with their classroom peers, fostering stronger peer connections and inclusive activities.
A: A prone stander puts the user in a weight-bearing upright position. Prone standers are for kids who can hold their heads up while their anterior trunk is supported as they are tilting forward.
A: Put shoes on the child first for feet and ankle support. After lifting or moving the child into the stander, position toes facing forward and heels flat on the baseboard (if tight calves prevent the heels from being flat, a small pad under the heel can make that position more comfortable). Ensure the ankles, knees, and hips are aligned and secure the child in the stander.
A: For best results, a child should be in a stander daily for at least 60 minutes. If that is too long for the child to be comfortable, two 30-minute sessions will also meet the recommended amount of stander time.
A: Early intervention is key if there are issues that are impeding a child’s ability to stand. Kids as early as 10 months old can benefit from time in a stander with the goal of helping them become proficient walkers.
A: A mobile stander, sometimes called a dynamic stander, has big wheels that can be used for self-propulsion similar to how a manual wheelchair is operated.
A: To promote weight bearing through the legs, and sometimes the arms, a prone stander supports the user against the belly. The angle can be adjusted in a gravity-dependent position. This design is best for kids who have enough head and trunk strength to hold their heads up, symmetrical spine alignment, and full hip extension.
A supine stander is for kids who need a lot of support for their heads and trunks against gravity. Since users lay on their backs, they get full-body support. These standards tilt the user backward with weight bearing being through the heels.
Sitting or lying for long periods of time can affect the body in negative ways. Contractures, skeletal maladies, and pressure wounds can all develop from staying in one position, and digestion, respiration, and circulation can all be compromised by not standing upright enough. Gravity plays a big part in keeping joints, tendons, muscles, and organs operating at peak efficiency, so being able to stand upright has a significant impact on physical well-being. With children, in addition to their physical needs, it’s important to meet their psychological and social needs as they grow. The ability to stand and be at eye-level with their peers and have the opportunity to participate in the same activities as their classmates is a key factor in overall development and quality of life. Pediatric standers are a tool to help meet the physical and social/emotional needs of kids who are not physically able to stand on their own.
There are several factors that will influence your purchasing decision. For example, children who have the strength and ability to self-propel wheeled standers have different needs than kids who cannot move independently and would benefit more from a static stander. Multiple position choices mean you’ll have plenty of options to fit a child’s and a caregiver’s needs for easy transfers and various levels of support. The question of where a stander will be used also figures prominently into a purchasing decision. A stander serving multiple children in a school environment will benefit from being highly adjustable to fit a range of needs, while a stander in use by a single user at school or at home can have a much more individualized user experience. We have an extensive catalog of Pediatric Standers and an online Special Needs Store that can provide more information on the benefits and features of specific models.
Thank you for reading our tips for choosing the best pediatric stander for your situation. We invite you to visit Caregiver University for more articles and buying guides.
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
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