Written by Mike Price, OT
Mobility issues do more than keep kids with special needs from getting out into the world. Limited mobility can also limit physical, cognitive, and sensory development. Enhancing a child’s mobility enhances overall health, well-being, and quality of life.
Because wheelchairs are designed to get from one place to another over smooth surfaces, they limit the experience of the user. Special needs strollers are specifically designed to be portable, durable, and extremely maneuverable, so kids who can’t walk can still enjoy experiences off the paved path.
For caregivers, special needs strollers provide more freedom to get around in more places. These helpful devices look like regular strollers, but they can safely hold children who are past the age and weight accommodated by standard strollers. They can also accommodate technology like portable oxygen, ventilators, pulse oximeters, and other medical equipment.
 | 1) Drive Medical Trotter Special Needs Stroller for Children, Teens, and Young Adults View Product |
Although there are many common design elements shared by all special needs strollers, several factors should be considered when choosing which model is most appropriate for your situation.
Since adaptive strollers come in several sizes and configurations, it is possible to find one that is the perfect fit for your child. The more custom the fit, the safer and more comfortable your child will be.
Some children can sit up on their own and have no posture or positioning issues. Others have complex positioning needs that require a stroller with a lot of specialized support.
Accommodating support and positioning needs, the degree of tilt provides upper body support and pressure relief, while the degree of recline opens the angle of the seat which impacts breathing and digestion.
Just as not all children are created the same, not all caregivers are created the same. Before you buy an adaptive stroller, make sure it’s of a size and weight so you can easily manage folding, unfolding, and lifting.
If your child is still growing, you’ll want a stroller that will grow with your child, making it a long-term investment into your child’s quality of life.
Special needs strollers are ideal for limited mobility users who want and need to get out in the world and into places and over terrain that wheelchairs can’t always navigate safely. Their tilt and recline features help address skin pressure issues, respiration, digestion, posture, and comfort to deliver a healthy and enjoyable user experience for people with low or no upper body strength.
If your doctor can help you prove your special needs stroller is in the same category of Durable Medical Equipment as wheelchairs. If your adaptive stroller meets the requirements for Durable Medical Equipment, chances are good it will be covered.
A stroller is often the preferred alternative to a wheelchair, especially for smaller children. If a child cannot self-propel in a wheelchair and will always need to be pushed, no matter what age, a special needs stroller can often exceed the experience a wheelchair can provide.
The options necessary to meet the special physical needs of the user, including posture support and the ability to bear the weight of a grown adult while being lightweight and portable, add to the price of an adaptive stroller. The cost is further impacted by the customizable options a special needs stroller has to be able to accommodate and the additional safety and comfort issue an adaptive stroller addresses through design and engineering.
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Entering our list at number 5 is the Convaid Cruiser Transit Special Needs Stroller. This special needs stroller prioritizes safety and comfort for your loved ones during their travels. It meets WC19 safety standards, providing complete customization options for optimal support and convenience. With its compact design, it's easy to transport and offers various choices to suit your child's needs. Rest assured, it meets all safety requirements for motor vehicle use.
The Convaid Cruiser Transit Special Needs Stroller has undergone crash tests at 30mph and 20g deceleration in a forward-facing configuration using the five-point tie-down system. The stroller seat sits 30 degrees from the floor plane (tilt-in-space) for posture management. With a seat-to-back angle that adjusts in 5-degree increments, posture management can be customized even further. Comfort measures such as a self-tensioning seat increase sitting tolerance.
This stroller incorporates disc brakes, which are the same type of brakes used on high-end mountain bikes, and knobby tires that provide superior performance on a variety of surfaces and terrains. At least 5 inches of seat depth allows for five years of growth while also eliminating the need for custom modification. With this feature, parents will be able to make growth adjustments themselves. Each chair includes the correct anatomical growth range based on hip width.
 | Trak Pediatric Transit Folding Tilt-in-Space Wheelchair by Leggero View Product |
The Trak Pediatric Transit Folding Tilt-in-Space Wheelchair by Leggero comes in 4th on our list because it offers a comfortable and versatile mobile chair with 45-degree tilt and recline capability. It features transit attachments compatible with most public transit systems and is available in two sizes and four accent color options. The chair's adjustable settings, including seat depth, seat width, back height, and hip angle, allow it to accommodate user growth and conform to the user's needs. Caregivers will appreciate the height-adjustable push handle, foot-activated wheel lock, and easy-to-operate foot tilt lever.
This state-of-the-art wheelchair is designed for extended use and easy travel, folding up compactly and offering a lightweight design. Additional accessories such as a sunshade, under-seat storage bag, and caster swivel locks are included, with many other accessories available for customization. Medical mounting accessories like an oxygen tank holder, equipment tray, IV pole, and LTV Bracket are also available to suit specific medical needs.
Overall, the Trak Pediatric Transit Folding Tilt-in-Space Wheelchair by Leggero offers a versatile and comfortable solution for mobility needs. Its advanced features, adjustable settings, and various accessories make it an excellent choice for both users and caregivers.
 | Special Tomato EIO Push Chair Stroller View Product |
At number 3 on our list of best special needs strollers is the EIO Push Chair Stroller by Special Tomato. With its soft head, back, and hip cushions, this adaptive stroller supports the rider in reclined comfort. Its portable design and lightweight aluminum frame make it easy for caregivers to fold up and transport.
Able to accommodate users up to 90 pounds, this special needs stroller is created to serve infants up to elementary-aged children. There is a long list of ways to accessorize this device, so it can be personalized to meet your child’s needs. The comfortable cushions are moisture-resistant, and this stroller can recline between 25 and 75 degrees for added customization and comfort. For additional support, it’s compatible with Special Tomato’s Soft Touch Liners that help it grow with your child.
Its recline feature is one of the elements that earned it a place on our list, and it’s also been featured in the article 5 Experts Weigh in on How to Choose the Best Special Needs Stroller. It has an adjustable footrest and leg rest for having legs out straight or in a standard seated position. European styling makes it look as good as it performs.
It has a 5-point harness, a height-adjustable handle, a one-touch rear brake for caregiver convenience, and comes with a shopping basket. Highly maneuverable, its rear wheels can be removed for a flatter surface area to fit this special needs stroller into smaller spaces. The front wheels swivel and have a lock-out feature for uneven terrain. It comes with a sun canopy that can be folded up or down to be out of the way when not in use. An optional rain canopy makes outings enjoyable even in inclement weather.
This stroller made our list because it can grow with your child while providing comfortable cushioned support with its 25 to 75-degree recline. It is extremely versatile with the possible wheel combinations, and its maneuverability and portability make it easy for caregivers to get it where it needs to be.
 | Strive Special Needs Stroller by Circle Specialty View Product |
The Strive Special Needs Stroller makes it number 2 on our list as it's designed to be comfortable for everyday use and durable enough for the toughest situations. Its lightweight and foldable design makes it easy for caregivers to transport, even in subcompact and sedan car trunks. The stroller offers extensive positioning capabilities to accommodate a child's needs and ensure their comfort and security. It can be easily adjusted to grow with the child, including seat back angle, depth, and position.
Safety features such as adjustable tension positioning straps and optional add-ons secure the child, reducing the risk of injury or discomfort. The stroller's 10-inch rear wheels and 8-inch front casters glide smoothly on both indoor and outdoor surfaces. It also includes a large mesh basket for storage and L-shaped handles for comfortable use throughout the day.
This foldable stroller is lightweight, easy to carry, and provides seamless transport and storage. The highly adjustable seat and frame are ideal for growing children, and various components can be tailored for a personalized touch. Additionally, adjustable tension provides positioning support, and additional protective features can be added for added safety and comfort.
 | Drive Medical Trotter Special Needs Stroller for Children, Teens, and Young Adults View Product |
The comprehensive list of features, durability, and cost-effectiveness put the Trotter Pediatric Mobility Chair by Drive Medical at the top of our list. This adaptive stroller has been put through rigorous testing to ensure it provides the safest ride possible for your child.
The combination of portability and rider support makes travel easier and more convenient with this special needs stroller. The seat and back angle are adjustable, so a custom comfortable fit can be created. It also has a positioning belt that works in tandem with a 5-point “H” style safety harness that keeps the rider’s position secure. The harness straps have reversible padded covers for extra comfort and security. When it’s time to transfer in or out of the stroller, the swing-away footrest helps make the transition easier.
It comes in 12, 14, 16, or 18-inch models with weight capacities ranging from 75 to 250 pounds. There are multiple color options, so you can choose one that makes your child happiest. This special needs stroller folds up and down easily and is lightweight and easy to take along anywhere. The 8-inch front casters and large rear wheels with toggle locks provide a smooth and safe ride. The special curb assist lever is especially helpful over rough terrain, uneven ground, or for getting up on curbs and sidewalks.
This highly maneuverable adaptive mobility device makes a caregiver’s job much easier while providing a comfortable and engaging experience for the user. It’s upholstered in especially plush machine-washable fabric, which is lightweight enough to help riders stay cool.
The Trotter Pediatric Mobility Chair earned the top spot on our list for its list of features, stringent testing, and overall value. If you’re looking for a stroller that offers multiple sizing options, can accommodate a wide weight range, is highly durable and maneuverable, keeps the user in a comfortable and safe position, and helps you transfer your child confidently and safely over uneven terrain, this stroller will not let you down.
When you need an adaptive, lightweight, and portable mobility device that addresses your child’s need for positioning support, a special needs stroller will meet that need. Being easy to load and unload from a car, and being more agile in smaller spaces, the adaptive strollers on our list will all provide a safe and comfortable experience for riders and caregivers.
Our number 1 choice made the top of the list because of its overall list of standard features, its cost-effectiveness, and its durability. Combined with the safety standards this special needs stroller has met, the size options, and how easy it is to take care of, the Trotter Pediatric Mobility Chair has landed well-deserved recognition as the top choice.
The five special needs strollers on our list offer a variety of features designed to benefit the child and the caregiver. They are all manufactured to high-quality standards by leaders in the industry. When it’s time to get out into the world, get your child into one of these adaptive strollers for a safe and comfortable mobility experience.
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
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