Effects of powered mobility on self-initiated behaviors of very young children with locomotor disability.
This study reports the effects of powered mobility on the self-initiated behavior of six children with various disabilities who, between 23 and 38 months of age, learnt to use motorized wheelchairs in less than three weeks. Using a multiple baseline design, two-hour observation periods were video-recorded at 10-day intervals before and after they achieved independent mobility. Frequency of self-initiated interaction with objects, spatial exploration and communication with care-giver were analyzed. Three children increased all three types of behavior; one increased in two types but decreased in interaction with objects; and two increased in spatial exploration only.
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D014910:Wheelchairs