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.