The Use of Modified ride-on Cars to Advance Mobility and Socialization in Young Children With Disabilities

The four purposes of this study are: 1) to examine the feasibility of providing children with disabilities to explore the environment with a modified ride-on car; 2) to quantify whether children with disabilities are able to have more social interactions with a ride-on car; 3) to examine the progression of socialization during the intervention and follow-up phases to determine which factors might influence the learning curve; 4) to compare the effectiveness of using the modified toy cars through the hospital-based program and regular therapy program after intervention and follow-up phases to determine the critical factors on increasing independent mobility and socialization, including motivation, treatment executor, treatment environment and play programs. It can provide guidelines for the future intervention. Independent mobility is believed to be essential for perceptual-motor, cognition, language and social skill development. It is important to increase the independent mobility in children with disabilities and further enhance their development, especially motor and socialization. Assistive and power mobility devices allow children with disabilities to move independently within their environment and may increase the opportunities to explore and interact with people and environment . However, issues to consider before prescribing an assistive device include factors such as age, accessibly to community environments, cost, social acceptance of the device and the adaptability of the device to growth. This study is to use the customized, modified ride-on toy cars, to enhance the independent mobility, exploration and socialization through low-cost, family-centered approach. It will also improve family's understanding of children's capabilities, which improve their development. Investigators will recruit 60 children with who are between 1 to 3 years old and diagnosed as motor delay (\>1.5 sd). They will be randomly assigned to one of the following two groups: hospital-