AbstractIn a large research project a client‐centred approach was employed to gain critical judgements from children with physical disabilities. Eighty‐four children helped guide the design of a new adaptive pediatric seating system. This was achieved through the implementation of a unique protocol to learn what children like and dislike about specific features of adaptive seating systems. This protocol, which may also be useful in a clinical setting, was found to be reliable and valid for obtaining perspectives from children with physical disabilities. Copyright © 1996 Whurr Publishers