354Original Article Regional Survey of Assistive Devices Use by Children with Physical Disabilities in Southern Taiwan

Background: Despite increasing use of assistive devices (ADs) by physically disabled (PD) children, the use rate, number, effects and related services have seldom been studied. Understanding AD utilization is helpful in improving the relat-ed services. This study describes the usage of ADs by children with physical disabilities (PDs). Methods: This regional survey enrolled children with PDs. The children’s parents or primary caregivers filled out structured questionnaires regarding the chil-dren’s use of and need for ADs, the benefits and problems associated with the ADs and related services. Results: In total, 224 ADs were used by 124 children (1.79 ADs per child). The most commonly used ADs were orthoses (n = 77, 62.10%), mobility aids (n = 51, 41.13%), and aids for therapy and training (n = 21, 16.94%). The degree of disability, age, gender, diagnosis and rehabilitation training location were not associated with the number of ADs used. Most children (n = 103, 83.06%) benefited from ADs, and 93 (75%) children had been evaluated prior to buy