All About Standers

Standing is one of the most beneficial things your child can do in order to maximize her physical development, cognitive development and health. A previous article described the various benefits of standing, so those won’t be repeated here. Instead, this article will list the type of standers available, including specifications on currently available models.

There are six basic types of standers: mobile standers (also called dynamic or active standers), sit-to-stand devices, supine standers, prone standers, upright or vertical standers, and three-way standers.

Mobile, Dynamic, and Active Standers

Mobile, dynamic, and active standers are standing devices that allow a child to move or be moved. Most standers in this category have wheels that allow the child to self propel or be pushed in a standing position. They differ from gait trainers in that the child does not take steps, but rather propels or is propelled with wheels.

A few devices, such as the Kaye Dynamic Stander, allow the entire standing device to move dynamically as the child moves. The Ablegaiter allows a child in the standing device to walk, with the stander fully supporting the legs and trunk. While only available in larger sizes, the Easystand Glider allows an individual to exercise the arms and upper body while in the stander. A previous article on mobility addressed the various mobile standers, and they will not be described further here.

Sit-to-Stand

Sit-to-stand devices allow a child to either sit in the device and gradually be moved into a standing position, or be transferred directly from a seating position in a wheelchair into a stander. Some allow the device to be used in both the seated and standing positions, while others use the sit-to-stand feature solely to simplify transfers and improve safety. These devices are particularly beneficial for larger children who may be difficult to transfer directly. They can also be very useful for children who like to go between seated and standing positions frequently, such as in the school environment.

Table 1: Sit-to-stand Devices

• EasyStand Bantam
• EasyStand Evolv
• Prime Engineering Symmetry
• EasyStand StrapStand
• Leckey Lifting Stander
• Prime Engineering Kidstand and Granstand

Supine Standers

Supine standers are standers that position a child in a slightly reclined positioned. These standers are particularly useful for children who are severely impaired, with minimal head or trunk control. They are also useful for children who are recovering from illness or have vestibular dysfunction, as they can gradually be made more upright.

Table 2: Supine Standers

• Jenx Supine
• Rifton Supine
• TherAdapt Supine
• Tugs Supine

Prone Standers

Prone standers position a child leaning forward slightly. Most allow a child to either be upright or lean forward. Prone standers are particularly good for children who need to strengthen their neck and trunk muscles, since this position requires active upper body strength. They may also be helpful for children who have difficulty using their arms, since leaning forward can make arm use easier.

Table 3: Prone Standers

• Jenx Monkey
• Leckey Pronestander
• Ormesa Dondolino
• Rifton Prone
• Snug Seat Toucan
• TherAdapt Prone
• Tugs Prone

Vertical and Upright Standers

Vertical and upright standers are used for children with mild or moderate physical impairments, who have good head control and some trunk control. They place a child in a fully upright position.

Table 4: Vertical and Upright Standers

• Jenx Penguin
• Jenx Rex
• Leckey Freestander
• Leckey Totstander
• Ormesa Mini Standy
• Prime Engineering Up-Rite
• Snug Seat Gecko
• Standing Aid Frame
• TherAdapt Vertical
• Wenzelite Marvel

Three-Way Standers

Three-way standers are useful for children whose needs may change over time, since they allow prone, supine, and upright standing. Many children begin with supine standing and then move to prone standing and finally upright standing as they get stronger. Children with progressive disorders may travel the opposite path, moving from upright to prone and finally to supine standing as their diseases progress. This type of stander is best for children with complex needs that are expected to improve, decline, or vary over the courses of their lives.

Table 5: Three-Way Standers

• Jenx Multistander
• Leckey Horizon
• Leckey Mygo
• Leckey Squiggles
• Mulholland Rocket and Peer Level
• Prime Engineering Superstand
• Snug Seat Buffalo
• Snug Seat Gazelle
• Snug Seat Giraffe
• Tumbleforms TriStander
• Wenzelite Out/Stander