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Straddle & saddle seats
Straddle/bolster and saddle seats can be useful for a child who has good trunk and head control, but whose legs push tightly together.
Sitting astride these seats takes the legs apart and may bring on more normal muscle tone. This can make it easier for your child to have control of their arms for activities such as eating and school work.
Saddle seats require your child to get a secure 'footplant' to gain pelvic stability whereas the contours of a straddle seat will position your child's body.2
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Help and advice
An issue with this type of chair is how children will get on and off of it. Some children may be able to step on and off. Otherwise, an appropriate lifting technique or hoisting may be required.
It is important that the occupational therapist and/or the physiotherapist working with your child are involved in the choice of chair. They can advice on positioning to encourage head control and sitting balance, and on chairs that encourage a symmetrical sitting posture.
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