The Smart Wheelchair has the ability to uncover learning potential and facilitate the recognition of abilities in children previously excluded from access to independent mobility. Given the significant limitation that restrictions in mobility pose to participation for children with physical disabilities, therapists must begin to understand the effectiveness of interventions such as the Smart Wheelchair. The descriptive findings of this study allow for future, more rigorous research, to be conducted on the effectiveness of the Smart Wheelchair as a mobility training tool.
Development of a pre-purchase assessment including specific core skills for scooter use is of great importance to minimise accidents and death as a consequence of scooter driving. Education and training of prescribers and suppliers of scooters is important to match needs and skills to enable a better fit of scooter to user. Incorporation of adjustability of features within the standard design of scooters, including type of driving controls, seat height, and adjustment of distance to controls, will enable greater fit of scooter to the user s needs.
Evidence suggests that AT has a positive impact on children with physical impairments and their caregivers. Future studies in this area could include valid and reliable outcome measures of AT use and the psychological impacts of AT on caring for a child with physical impairments.
Purpose: To systematically review the impact powered mobility devices have on engagement in independent occupations for adults with acquired mobility limitations.Method: Electronic search of CINAHL Plus, Medline, PsychInfo, OT Seeker, Joanna Briggs Institute and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Search terms included combinations of words to encompass all terms most likely used for powered mobility.Results: Eleven studies were eligible for inclusion. One study was a true experimental design; four studies were pre-experimental, and six were non-experimental. Studies indicated positive improvements to occupational engagement and independence while environmental barriers were identified as negatively impacting occupation and increasing risk of injury or accident.Conclusions: Drawing conclusions from this research is problematic due to varying methodological quality. This review suggested two distinct themes: environmental barriers generate difficulties and challenges, which can subsequently result in accident or injury, and access to powered mobility impacts positively on areas of independence, quality of life, mobility and engagement.
This exploratory study evaluated the effects of learning switching skills for children with severe and profound multiple disabilities using a multisensory environment and the child's natural environment. Method: A multiple baseline study was employed to investigate the ability of three preschool aged children to learn switching skills in different environments, in association with the development of desired behavioural changes. Observational data were collected on the development of switching skills and on psychosocial changes. Results: The visual inspection of client data revealed improved switching skills with two participants. The third participant, the constant series control, developed switching skills which then decreased; however, significant development in a range of motor and social skills was reported in qualitative interview. Adaptive behaviours improved in all three participants, including behaviours such as reduced frustration and associated crying and eliciting of primitive reflexes. Conclusion: Qualitative interviews with two parents indicated significant changes to behaviour, with a resultant positive effect on the families, strongly supporting the development of psychosocial skills in children with severe and profound multiple disabilities as a result of development of switching skills.
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