Inclusive Play for Children with Physical Disabilities

 

Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics published research on including children with physical disabilities during play. A comprehensive review of the research was completed to determine what factors help children with physical disabilities participate in play in childcare centers.

The following results were reported:
1. Strategies were grouped into role of the adult facilitator and environmental factors.
2. The role of the adult facilitator included customizing approaches to a specific child’s needs, being self aware of their (meaning adult facilitator) presence, prompting and praise and promoting fairness, equity and play interaction.
3. The environmental factors included physical setting types of toys and types of play.

The researchers concluded that therapists should employ inclusion strategies to encourage play in children with physical disabilities.

Reference: Sara K. Crawford, Karen N. Stafford, Sarah M. Phillips, Kathleen J. Scott and Patricia Tucker. Strategies for Inclusion in Play among Children with Physical Disabilities in Childcare Centers: An Integrative Review.  Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. Posted online on 8 Apr 2014. doi:10.3109/01942638.2014.904470

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