title: Modified toy cars for mobility and socialization: case report of a child with cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Children with cerebral palsy have limited opportunities to explore their physical and social environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using a "ride-on toy car" as a readily available, low-cost, fun, and functional option for children with special needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Brenden, a 21-month-old child, was provided a modified ride-on toy car for a 15-week study period divided up into a 1-week baseline, 12-week intervention, and 2-week postintervention. We coded mobility and socialization measures from video recordings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Brenden was more mobile and had more vocalizations during the 12-week intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modified toy cars have serious potential to be a fun and functional power mobility option for children with special needs. The opportunity now exists to quantify several effects, including peer socialization, cognitive measures, and body structure/function goals involving neural, muscular, and skeletal physiology. Group study is required to formally test these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Healthy Aging Research Center (Dr Huang), Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Infant Behavior Lab, Department of Physical Therapy (Ms Peffley and Drs Ragonesi, Stoner, and Galloway) and Biomechanics and Movement Sciences Program (Drs Ragonesi and Galloway), University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.
authors.forename: Hsiang-han
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Christina B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Ragonesi
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stoner
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Peffley
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Galloway
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D001336:Automobiles; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009983:Orthopedic Equipment; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012951:Socialization