Advancing Mobility and Socialization in Toddlers With Disabilities: Modified Toy Cars Training With Different Postures

The three purposes of this study are: 1) to examine the feasibility and effects of ride-on car training with two different postures on mobility and socialization in toddlers with disabilities; 2) to quantify whether toddlers with disabilities are able to have more exploratory behaviors and social interactions with ride-on car training through observation and wrist-worn accelerators; 3) to determine the critical factors of using the different modes of modified ride-on toy car on family perceptions and participation. The concept of using modified ride-on toy cars (ROC) in therapy has became a novel application in recent years. This study is further to examine the effects of ride-on toy car training with two different postures, i.e., sitting and standing , on independent mobility, exploration and socialization through low-cost, family-centered approach. It will also improve family\'s understanding of children\'s capabilities, which improves their development. Based on the power analysis from the preliminary results of investigator group study, investigators will recruit 60 children with disabilities who are between 1 to 3 years old and diagnosed as motor delay. They will be randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: ROC-Sit group, ROC-Stand group and regular therapy group. The whole study duration will be 24 weeks, including 12-week intervention and 12-week follow-up; the total amount of treatment will be equal for three groups. Standardized assessments are provided for a total of three times during the study, including the time before and after the intervention and in the end of the follow-up phase. The ROC-Sit and ROC-Stand programs will be administered by the therapist and include 120 minutes/per session, 2 sessions/per week. The research team will visit the hospital once/per week to provide 60 minutes videotaping and let participants wear wrist-worn accelerators. The regular therapy group will continue their regular therapy without any additional car driving training. The research team will visit them once/per week for the assessments. The assessments include standardized measurements and behavioral coding from the videotapes and accelerators. The findings of this study will provide a novel therapeutic tool (i.e., combining the low-tech modified ride-on cars with different postures) on advancing children\'s mobility, socialization, family participation and development.