What is it about?
Children and youth with Cerebral Palsy (CP) have limited opportunities for participation. These qualitative results are part of a mixed methods study exploring the effects of participation in physical activities including adapted cycling. The first aim was to explore physical activity participation of children and youth with CP. The second aim was to introduce information about adapted cycling and explore if they would participate in the future. 18 participants were recruited aged 2–13, 11 male, 7 female resulting in 17 interviews and 15 diaries. The participants had a range of communication abilities, 10 spoke verbally, 3 were nonverbal, 2 used Makaton signing and 3 had dysarthria. The data were managed in NVIVO and analysed with coding using a template approach. The themes which emerged revealed some barriers and encouragers of physical activity participation represented by a ‘Wheel of Participation’. The interview and diary data enabled their voices to be heard as their ‘Mosaic’ was built up through this iterative analytic process. 11 of the 18 children actually tried adapted cycling following the provision of written information. This change behaviour was positive and further research should explore habitual participation in physical activities such as adapted cycling. By hearing their perspectives about participation in physical activities and cycling, the experiences described suggest there are now some enjoyable opportunities for participation for children and youth with CP.
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Why is it important?
There are limited representations of children and youth with physical disabilities, including learning and communication difficulties. Hearing their voices is important to find out what they enjoy and aspire to do
Perspectives
Carrying out a study about adapted cycling gave us the opportunity to investigate the muscle strength and length measures also. It was by far the most exciting to hear their voices about their experiences. This study has been a springboard for my PhD 'VOCAL'. Here I am utilizing a case study design to explore with 9-16 year old with CP who are level III-V GMFCS about their views, experiences and choices for participation in recreational activities. These are wider than sport, as recreational and cultural opportunities require further consideration to maximize participation.
Dawn Pickering
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Analysing mosaic data by a ‘Wheel of Participation’ to explore physical activities and cycling with children and youth with cerebral palsy, International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, March 2014, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1179/2047387714y.0000000038.
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