The Best Shoes for Kids with Disabilities – Supportive, Comfortable, and Accommodates Orthotics!

January 6, 2023 Down Syndrome Juan Pablo Valenzuela 10 - Comments

Are you looking for a pair of shoes for your child that is dealing with a specific foot condition? Finding a pair of shoes for a child that is dealing with a particular type of disability can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience. If your child has a specific disability that doesn’t allow him or her to easily get the shoes on and off or express how the shoes feel, you need to make sure that you are providing your child with the correct shoe style in the correct shoe size.

Certain shoe styles are more supportive than others, provide more padding around the ankles to make your child feel more comfortable, and are lightweight and flexible at the same time, to prevent your child’s feet and legs from easily getting tired. Certain shoes also have oversized openings for easy on and off. These are the type of shoes I will help you find.

Most children with disabilities are not able to express if their feet, legs, or hips hurt. The correct type of shoes can improve your child’s body posture, allowing your child to walk and run straighter. Let me prove it to you!

What a Difference the Correct Pair of Shoes Can Make!

Let’s take a look at a picture of a flat-footed child standing barefoot. Do you notice how the child’s feet are collapsing and turning inwards?

child-with-flat-feet

Now let’s take a look at a picture of the same child wearing pair of shoes that are too flimsy and unsupportive. Do you notice how the child’s feet are still collapsing and turning inwards?

child-with-flat-feet-wearing-unsupportive-shoes

The final picture shows the same child wearing a pair of shoes that are supportive. Do you notice how much straighter the child’s feet are? What a difference the correct pair of shoes can make!

supportive-shoes-with-straight-lasts-for-children-with-flat-feet

This proves that something so simple such as providing your child with the correct pair of shoes can significantly improve your child’s comfort and overall posture. 

Does Your Child Need to Wear Orthotics Inside His or Her Shoes?

Children with disabilities require particular shoes that in most cases need to accommodate an orthotic. This means that the shoes must provide a certain amount of support, stability, and most importantly: extra depth.

Did you know that how deep the shoes are plays a key role when trying to fit an orthotic inside the shoes? I will expand on this shortly.

I will show you a selection of the best shoes for kids with disabilities shortly, but first I want to show you what features these shoes provide and how you can figure out your child’s exact foot size from home.

Keep in mind that the shoes I describe in this article are not orthopedic, they are regular everyday sneakers that are the deepest and most supportive ones that I have fitted before, and they are all reasonably priced.

Shoes that Accommodate Orthotics – 6 Important Features!

There are certain features that the shoes must provide to help your child with disabilities walk and run more comfortably, confidently, and straighter.

1️⃣ Supportive Outsoles: Supportive shoes help minimize the impact that your kids’ feet take every time they become in contact with the ground. If your child wears an orthotic then this is a key feature as the shoes must be supportive or your child won’t get any of the benefits that the orthotics have to offer. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides a supportive outsole versus one that doesn’t:

supportive-shoes-for-children-with-flat-feet

2️⃣ Lightweight and Flexible: The shoes must be supportive but lightweight and flexible at the same time to prevent your child’s feet and legs from easily getting tired.

children's-shoes-with-the-correct-amount-of-flexibility

3️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: Do you know what the heel counter of the shoe is? This is the part of the shoe that provides ankle support. The firmer the heel counter is, the better ankle and heel support that it provides:

children's-shoes-with-heel-support

4️⃣ Extra Deep: Deeper shoes allow the feet to fit deeply inside the shoes, preventing from giving your child the impression that the feet are coming out of the shoes. If your child wears an orthotic then this is an extremely important feature, as orthotics always fit better in deeper shoes. Below you can find the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t:

5️⃣ Rounder Toe-Box: Shoes that come with a rounder toe-box are important because they make the orthotics fit better, and they also help prevent your child’s toes from overlapping against one another or rubbing against the side of the shoes. Below you can find the difference between a shoe with a rounder toe-box and a shoe with a pointier/narrower toe-box:

shoes-with-round-toe-boxes-for-kids-with-flat-feet

6️⃣ Wider Opening for Easy On & Off: This feature allows parents and children to easily slide their feet inside the shoes.

Can we find a pair of shoes for your child with disabilities that provide all of these features? Yes, we can! I have fitted them before, and I will show you which ones they are.

Keep in mind that I only review shoes that I have fitted before, as that is the only way for me to test the quality and the amount of support that the shoes provide. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.

The Best Shoes for Kids with Disabilities

Below you can find a selection of the best shoes for kids with disabilities. These shoes are available in medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW) width.

New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
  • Available in laces and velcro
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
  • Available in laces and velcro
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • The Stride Rite shoe style Elliot is available for toddlers
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • 100% leather made
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • The Stride Rite shoe style Emilia is available for toddlers
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • 100% leather made
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Timberland-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The Timberland shoe style Tracks is available for toddlers
  • Double velcro straps
  • Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
  • Water-friendly
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style 574 is available for toddlers
  • Available in velcro and laces
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
  • Available in velcro and laces
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
orthopedic-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The Memo shoe style Gabi is available for toddlers and little kids
  • Double velcro straps
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Genuine leather and breathable mesh
  • Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization 
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
orthopedic-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The Memo shoe style Gabi is available for toddlers and little kids
  • Double velcro straps
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Genuine leather and breathable mesh
  • Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization 
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Saucony-shoe-for-a-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The Saucony shoe style Cohesion is available for toddlers
  • Velcro closure
  • Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
  • Heel grid system for stable cushioning
  • Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Timberland-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The Timberland shoe style Bootie fits toddlers and little kids
  • Double velcro straps
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Padded collar for a comfortable fit around the ankle
  • Water-friendly
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
orthopedic-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The Memo shoe style Princessa fits toddlers and little kids
  • Double velcro straps
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
  • Rigid heel counter
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Saucony-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The Saucony shoe style Cohesion KDZ is available for little and big kids
  • Velcro closure
  • Fits children with medium and wide feet
  • Heel grid system for stable cushioning
  • Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Saucony-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The Saucony shoe style Cohesion KDZ is available for little and big kids
  • Velcro closure
  • Fits children with medium and wide feet
  • Synthetic and mesh upper
  • Heel grid system for stable cushioning
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650 is available for little and big kids
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Velcro closure
  • ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
  • Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 is available for little and big kids
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Velcro closure
  • ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
  • Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style 2002 is available for toddlers and little kids
  • Available in laces
  • Fits children with medium and wide feet
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style 2002 is available for toddlers and little kids
  • Available in laces
  • Fits children with medium and wide feet
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650 is available for little and big kids
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Velcro closure
  • Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
orthopedic-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The Memo shoe style Polo is available for little and big kids
  • Triple velcro straps
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • This is an orthopedic shoe
  • Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
orthopedic-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The Memo shoe style Chicago is available for little and big kids
  • Triple velcro straps
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • This is an orthopedic shoe
  • Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style Coco is available for little and big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Adidas-high-top-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The Adidas shoe style Own the Game 2.0 is available for little and big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Adidas-high-top-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The Adidas shoe style Cross Em Up Select is available for little kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Non-marking outsole
  • Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
Saucony-shoes-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The Saucony shoe style Kinvara LTT is available for little and big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Cushioned footbed
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Saucony-shoes-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The Saucony shoe style Shadow 6000 is available for little and big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Cushioned footbed
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style 574 is available for little and big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style 327 is available for little and big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Suede and mesh upper
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is available for big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Suede and mesh upper
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is available for big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Suede and mesh upper
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size

Keep in mind that if your child wears orthotics, you might need to go a whole size longer to a whole size and a half longer than the size that your child measures in the shoe measuring scale (as orthotics take a lot of extra space inside the shoes).

Does Your Child Prefer Velcro Shoes?

As I mentioned before, velcro shoes are not as effective in helping treat foot conditions. However, if your child must wear velcro shoes there are certain styles that are ideal for children with disabilities as they come with oversized openings and provide good support:

  • Shoe style Dean Adapt by See Kai Run
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
  • Adjustable extra-long straps
  • Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
  • Breathable mesh
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
  • Shoe style Dean Adapt by See Kai Run
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
  • Adjustable extra-long straps fit around AFOS but can also be cut to fit
  • Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
  • Breathable mesh
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
  • Shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite
  • Available in extra wide widths
  • Oversized opening for easy on and off
  • Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
  • Hook and loop closure 
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Shoe style M2P Journey 2 by Stride Rite
  • Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
  • Oversized opening for easy on and off
  • Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
  • Hook and loop closure 
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Shoe style Ryder Adapt by See Kai Run 
  • Fits medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Extra-long straps can be cut for a secure and custom fit with AFOs
  • Mesh lining and removable mesh-lined sock liner deliver comfort
  • Breathable mesh upper provides maximum durability and ultra-flexibility
  • Velcro closure
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
  • Shoe style Ryder Adapt by See Kai Run 
  • Fits medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Extra-long straps can be cut for a secure and custom fit with AFOs
  • Mesh lining and removable mesh-lined sock liner deliver comfort
  • Breathable mesh upper provides maximum durability and ultra-flexibility
  • Velcro closure
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
  • Shoe style Squeaker Switch by Ikiki is available for toddlers and little kids
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Removable insoles
  • Velcro closure
  • Squeaks encourage heel-to-toe walking
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
  • Shoe style Squeaker Switch by Ikiki is available for toddlers and little kids
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Oversized openings
  • High-top style
  • Squeaker can be turned on/off
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
  • Shoe style Dean Adapt by See Kai Run
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
  • Adjustable extra-long straps fit around AFOS but can also be cut to fit
  • Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
  • Breathable mesh
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
  • Shoe style Dean Adapt by See Kai Run
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
  • Adjustable extra-long straps fit around AFOS but can also be cut to fit
  • Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
  • Breathable mesh
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
  • Shoe style Ryder Adapt by See Kai Run 
  • Fits medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Extra-long straps can be cut for a secure and custom fit with AFOs
  • Mesh lining and removable mesh-lined sock liner deliver comfort
  • Breathable mesh upper provides maximum durability and ultra-flexibility
  • Velcro closure
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
  • Shoe style Ryder Adapt by See Kai Run 
  • Fits medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Extra-long straps can be cut for a secure and custom fit with AFOs
  • Mesh lining and removable mesh-lined sock liner deliver comfort
  • Breathable mesh upper provides maximum durability and ultra-flexibility
  • Velcro closure
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
  • Shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite
  • Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
  • Oversized opening for easy on and off
  • Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
  • Hook and loop closure 
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite
  • Available in extra wide widths
  • Oversized opening for easy on and off
  • Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
  • Hook and loop closure 
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Shoe style 990v6 by New Balance
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
  • Suede/mesh upper
  • Velcro closure
  • Removable insoles
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

If none of these shoes are available in your child’s shoe size or if you need the shoes to be made of a specific color don’t hesitate to email me at:

[email protected]

Shoelaces or Velcro Closure for your Child with Disabilities?

Most parents stay away from shoelaces as they don’t want to deal with their kids’ shoes becoming untied all the time. I strongly recommend parents provide their kids with shoelaces instead of velcro closure as they provide better support and more stability.

If you are investing in a pair of orthotics for your child, it’s worth it to take the extra time and help your child with tying the shoes. Please remember that this is the only way to get the full benefits of the orthotics.

Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Let’s Find Out!

I always recommend parents take their children to their local fitting children’s shoe store that they trust. The issue is that most fitting stores have been closing down and parents need to end up buying their kids’ shoes online. There is nothing wrong with this, but you must know your child’s exact foot size to know what size to order.

I created simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home. In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.

Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well for your child with disabilities that wears orthotics? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from them.