Children’s opportunities and rights for mobility and participation: Occupational therapists’ experiences with paediatric powered mobility

Abstract

Background: Mobility is a human right and play a key role for children’s development and participation. Children with limited independent mobility do not have the same opportunities to explore their surroundings and interact in play. Research has shown that powered mobility can enable independent mobility for children as young as 12 months. Aims/objectives: To explore occupational therapists experience with powered mobility for children under three years of age. Material and method: Data was collected through three focus groups. A total of ten occupational therapists from ten different municipalities in Norway participated in the study. Systematic Text Condensation by Malterud was used as a method for analysing data. Results: Five main themes were identified: (1) The child’s prerequisites for powered mobility, (2)Introducing powered mobility requires different considerations within each family, (3) Environmental considerations for enhancing powered mobility for children, (4) Powered mobility promotes self-determination and new roles, (5) Powered mobility promotes increased participation in expanded play activities. Conclusions and significance: Powered mobility is a complex process that must consider the child’s abilities, family context, and environment. Emphasis should be placed on fostering a supportive social environment and adapting the physical environment to enable self-initiated mobility, empowerment and occupational justice.