Advice for parents
Upper limb prosthetic devices can be beneficial for children as they can assist with balance. It must be noted that when a young children is beginning to become mobile, if the device interferes with their crawling then the device should be removed. However between the ages of 8 to 15 months, a child is more likely to be ready for a prosthetic device as it will help them to stand.
For lower limb paediatric amputees, many children prefer to hop as opposed to using their prosthetic device. Keep in mind that years and years of hopping on the sound leg could over time lead to arthritis, or other severe conditions at a later age. Hopping should be discouraged for all amputees but this is particularly important to consider at a paediatric level.
When children enter into adolescence they face similar challenges as others of their age. Teenagers strive to be like their friends and not different, and being an amputee can become especially difficult. Often at this stage, teenagers prefer to have a silicone cosmetic cover on their limb.
Once your child starts attending school, a meeting with school administration should be set up in advance to ensure that your child will be able to participate in physical education activities.