Research Question 11
| Citation |
Nilsson, L.M., & Eklund, M. (2006). Driving to learn: Powered wheelchair
training for those with cognitive disabilities. International Journal of Therapy
and Rehabilitation, 13, 517-527. |
| Question | How can people with profound cognitive disabilities benefit from training in a power
wheelchair? What factors help or hinder learning of skills in the power chair? |
| Description |
This qualitative study took a grounded theory approach and analyzed observations
of power chair use with 50 individuals functioning at an early developmental level.
These children and adults were aged between 1 year and 52 years of age. |
| Results |
• Increased awareness of joystick use
• Increased awareness of cause-effect and goal directedness
• Increased sense of autonomy
|
| Messages |
• Children with profound disabilities can gain a wide range of early developmental
skills from training in a power chair
• Power wheelchairs used with individuals with profound disabilities need to respond
immediately to any movement of the joystick. They also need to be programmed with
low power and speed to allow individuals to explore independently and safely
• Using safety stop switches and line following equipment may impede learning for
people with severe cognitive limitations by causing the chair to respond inconsistently
to their actions
|
Last Updated:
Jan 13, 2011