As a pilot feasibility study, the results provided are based on the observations of affect levels in two children with mobility impairments while describing associated trends in mobility and play behaviors during a community- based event. Three main trends were observed: 1) both children spent the majority of time displaying a neutral affect, 2) the most commonly observed form of mobility while in the MOH for both children could be categorized as level 2 (stationary with limb or trunk movements), and 3) both children demonstrated a wide variety of play behaviors while interacting with the environment, peers and adults when utilizing a MOH.
For the purpose of this descriptive study, an activity was defined as being fun when a child’s affect …show more content…
However, it is important to note that the continuum of play behaviors may be related to the child’s current developmental stage. Solitary and parallel play or play behaviors with the environment (and not people) should not be viewed negatively as they also have their importance, particularly as a child is first learning how to play. As a lack of freedom of movement may hinder the opportunities to practice play, the use of the MOH to support mobility in Child A and Child B has the potential to enhance interactions with the environment, peers and/or adults to create feelings of fulfillment and friendships, which are the final two elements defining play and leisure …show more content…
By being able to accommodate underlying mobility impairments, Child A and Child B were better able to engage in play and leisure activities while having an opportunity to interact socially with other children and adults. The use of an interprofessional team was another strength of this study. By incorporating the unique perspectives of physical, occupational, and speech therapists (both in licensed professional volunteers and pre-health professional university students), the team could work together and collaborate to provide a more comprehensive and holistic approach to minimize identified barriers and maximize child participation in play and leisure activities.
Limitations
This study involved a low sample size (n=2), and while both children presented with mobility impairments, their functional capabilities were different. Therefore, the results should be interpreted cautiously and without generalization to larger populations. The process of coding is also time intensive, particularly when first establishing a reliable protocol. In addition, as the trained, student coders also participated in the community events they got to know the children personally, which may have inadvertently effected objectivity when categorizing certain behaviors as part of the coding protocol.
Future
For the purpose of this descriptive study, an activity was defined as being fun when a child’s affect …show more content…
However, it is important to note that the continuum of play behaviors may be related to the child’s current developmental stage. Solitary and parallel play or play behaviors with the environment (and not people) should not be viewed negatively as they also have their importance, particularly as a child is first learning how to play. As a lack of freedom of movement may hinder the opportunities to practice play, the use of the MOH to support mobility in Child A and Child B has the potential to enhance interactions with the environment, peers and/or adults to create feelings of fulfillment and friendships, which are the final two elements defining play and leisure …show more content…
By being able to accommodate underlying mobility impairments, Child A and Child B were better able to engage in play and leisure activities while having an opportunity to interact socially with other children and adults. The use of an interprofessional team was another strength of this study. By incorporating the unique perspectives of physical, occupational, and speech therapists (both in licensed professional volunteers and pre-health professional university students), the team could work together and collaborate to provide a more comprehensive and holistic approach to minimize identified barriers and maximize child participation in play and leisure activities.
Limitations
This study involved a low sample size (n=2), and while both children presented with mobility impairments, their functional capabilities were different. Therefore, the results should be interpreted cautiously and without generalization to larger populations. The process of coding is also time intensive, particularly when first establishing a reliable protocol. In addition, as the trained, student coders also participated in the community events they got to know the children personally, which may have inadvertently effected objectivity when categorizing certain behaviors as part of the coding protocol.
Future