Simulator Based Powered Mobility Training of Children With Special Needs

Powered Mobility Training of Children With Special Needs: Conventional Versus Simulator-based Practice

This study compared conventional powered mobility practice to simulator based practice of children with special needs aged 6-18 years.

This study compared conventional powered mobility practice to simulator based practice of children with special needs aged 6-18 years.

The study has 3 stages: 1) Simulator validity study 2) Powered mobility outcome measures reliability and validity for children 6-18 years 3) Intervention study to compare simulator based practice and powered mobility practice.

1. Simulator validity study included 30 children aged 6-18 years, proficient powered mobility drivers. All participants had physical disabilities- CP or Neuromuscular conditions.
2. This stage included the first 30 children from the intervention study. Data for the study was based on the first evaluation out of the two evaluations in the study.
3. This stage included 36 children aged 6-18 years in need of powered mobility practice to become a proficient driver. The particpants were divided into two groups- experimental (simulator based practice) and control group (standard powered wheelchair practice).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children with a physical disability that are not proficient powered mobility driver
• Children that can use a joystick

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with visual accuracy limitations that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lens;
• Children who have a severe intellectual and developmental disability as defined by the Israel Ministry of Welfare's index for intellectual and developmental disabilities and reported by parents; Children that have a unstable medical conditions that prevent them from participating in powered mobility training (e.g., epilepsy)
• Children that can operate a powered wheelchair via switches or a scanning device.