You should always trial the stroller with your child’s occupational therapist or physiotherapist present – this is a great opportunity to explore whether the special purpose stroller meets your child’s needs and lifestyle requirements.  

Some key things to look out for and test in a trial include: 

• How does the stroller fit my child currently? What is my child’s current weight and what is the maximum weight capacity for the stroller?  
• What parts of the special purpose stroller grow? Some strollers have in built growth through the seat width, seat depth and backrest height. Some also have conversion kits that allow you to upgrade to the next size stroller of that product through changing a few parts, rather than ordering a whole new stroller. Growth and conversion kits can help your child to keep using the special purpose stroller for longer 
• How is my child sitting in the stroller? Do they need additional support around their hips, trunk, head or feet to maintain a good sitting position? 
• What harness options are there on the special purpose stroller I am trialing? What alternative buckle styles are there on that model of stroller if my child needs a special purpose stroller to support with behaviours of concern when in the community? 
• How easy is the stroller to push? How does the stroller fold? Am I able to lift the stroller in and out of my car? How do I remove the seat unit from the stroller base and put it back on? 

Where possible, it can be helpful to have other people who support the child trial using the stroller and give their perspectives before a decision is made about whether it is suitable. Having multiple perspectives and input can give the occupational therapist or physiotherapist valuable additional information which can assist in a funding application.  

This is the final blog of a series on special purpose strollers. You can find the other pages in this series below.