There is an every day challenge that many parents have faced in the love/hate relationship when their child begins wearing an orthotic. As parents we absolutely love that this device is giving our child the support they may need - but, the challenge in finding the right shoe for both comfort and style can bring out the worst hair pulling shopping experience for even the strongest of parents.
A question that we receive often is that my child just got their first orthotic, "what now?" Families have all shared both the struggles and the success in supporting a child in wearing a daily orthotic and finding the appropriate footwear. We want to make it easier for the next parent by sharing best suggestions in the world of AFO support.
INTRODUCTION TO BRACING & ORTHOTICS
It’s natural for parents to question the need for bracing and the benefits it will serve. As you learn more about orthotics and their potential role in the life of your child, you will come to know that orthotics can be a valuable resource for improving overall physical health and emotional well-being.
The Benefits of an Orthotic
Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFO’S) are commonly prescribed in children with neurological disorders such as stroke and Cerebral Palsy. Simply put, an AFO (sometimes called a brace or splint) provides support to help a child maintain a foot/ankle position, encourage mobility and overall improve stability and success.
Helping your child adjust emotionally
Even when an orthotic is properly fitted, in a fun design or your child's choice - your child may still experience frustration in wearing one. Most often the orthotic is to be worn continually, day and/or night, so it's not surprising that there is an adjustment period both physically and emotionally for both child and parent.
To help a child adjust:
A question that we receive often is that my child just got their first orthotic, "what now?" Families have all shared both the struggles and the success in supporting a child in wearing a daily orthotic and finding the appropriate footwear. We want to make it easier for the next parent by sharing best suggestions in the world of AFO support.
INTRODUCTION TO BRACING & ORTHOTICS
It’s natural for parents to question the need for bracing and the benefits it will serve. As you learn more about orthotics and their potential role in the life of your child, you will come to know that orthotics can be a valuable resource for improving overall physical health and emotional well-being.
The Benefits of an Orthotic
Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFO’S) are commonly prescribed in children with neurological disorders such as stroke and Cerebral Palsy. Simply put, an AFO (sometimes called a brace or splint) provides support to help a child maintain a foot/ankle position, encourage mobility and overall improve stability and success.
Helping your child adjust emotionally
Even when an orthotic is properly fitted, in a fun design or your child's choice - your child may still experience frustration in wearing one. Most often the orthotic is to be worn continually, day and/or night, so it's not surprising that there is an adjustment period both physically and emotionally for both child and parent.
To help a child adjust:
- Be positive and explain how much the orthotic helps. Encourage your child to think of it as a something that makes them stronger, faster and safer.
- Talk with and prepare your child with answers for when others may ask about their orthotic.
- Be understanding that they may be somewhat apprehensive. Children don’t want to stand out from their peers, so it can be difficult to wear an orthotic because it is noticeable to others.
- Share pictures and stories of other children or adults, that also wear orthotics.
FINDING THE PERFECT "FIT"
The struggle is most often real in finding the perfect shoe for your child to wear over their orthotic. Shoes that fit orthotics are always challenging to figure out and find. Often times children may need 2 different sized shoes or a wider shoe. Some may only need to wear an orthotic on one foot, thus making a difference in shoe sizes and an increased challenge in purchasing shoes.
We encourage you to work closely with your child’s orthotist, physical or occupational therapist, to always ensure proper fit of orthotic and shoe.
With so many factors to consider we have shared the following recommended brands by parents:
Specialty Footwear:
Shoes that provide a wider toe box when removing shoe insert:
Winter Footwear:
We encourage you to work closely with your child’s orthotist, physical or occupational therapist, to always ensure proper fit of orthotic and shoe.
With so many factors to consider we have shared the following recommended brands by parents:
- Nordstrom (retail locations will sell separate sizes in same shoe)
Specialty Footwear:
Shoes that provide a wider toe box when removing shoe insert:
- New Balance
- Converse
- Stride Rite – Wide
Winter Footwear:
- Butler Brand
- Mya Mayu (Wanderer Boot)
PURCHASING AFO SOCKS
Socks play an important role in keeping the skin protected from an AFO. Purchasing breathable, seamless, cotton socks are best. Knee high socks work better for higher orthotics and can be purchased at most stores.
Your child's orthotist may often include AFO-specific socks that can be purchased at specialty stores like those listed below:
Your child's orthotist may often include AFO-specific socks that can be purchased at specialty stores like those listed below:
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Questions will always come up, and finding that supportive community to ask those questions outside of your child's medical team - is important. Some of the very best "hacks" have come from other parents. The following are supportive social media pages specifically for families to connect and learn more.
KISS Pediatric Stroke Support (private facebook page specific to impacted families)
CHASA Shoe Exchange program
Parents of Kids with AFO, SMO & KAFO
AFOwear
Ability Hacker
PLAE with Orthotics - (page is hosted by PLAE company)
Inspired by Pediatrics Community
KISS Pediatric Stroke Support (private facebook page specific to impacted families)
CHASA Shoe Exchange program
Parents of Kids with AFO, SMO & KAFO
AFOwear
Ability Hacker
PLAE with Orthotics - (page is hosted by PLAE company)
Inspired by Pediatrics Community
Have a recommendation that was not shared, please leave a comment or pass on to us to include- support@pediatricstrokewarriors.org
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