Ride-On Car Training for Behavioral Changes in Mobility and Socialization Among Young Children With Disabilities.

PURPOSE: To characterize behavioral changes in mobility and socialization in children with disabilities aged 1 to 3 years while they are receiving ride-on car training in the hospital environment.

METHODS

Ten young children with motor disabilities received ride-on car training for 9 weeks (2 hours per session, 2 sessions per week). The driving and socialization behaviors were videotaped for 20 minutes per session (1 session per week) within the same period.

RESULTS

Independent mobility, visual attention to the switch, and positive facial expressions during the training period were significantly improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Ride-on car training has positive effects on behavioral changes in mobility and socialization among young children with motor disabilities. This provides clinicians a novel option for implementing early mobility training in a hospital-based environment.