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Em-POWERing Children and Young Adults through Movement: Use of a Power Trainer to Enable Movement Exploration and Success

Conference Paper · September 2012

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5 authors, including:

Lisa K Kenyon Grand Valley State University

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Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Home-based body support supported treadmill training View project

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The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Em-POWERing Children and Young Adults through Movement: Use of a Power Wheelchair Trainer to Enable Movement Exploration and Success Catherine Ripmaster, PT, MS1, John Farris, PhD2, Lisa K. Kenyon, PT, PhD, PCS3, John Peck, PT, PhD3, Christopher Pung DE, PE2 1. Lincoln Developmental Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2. Department of Engineering, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan 3. Department of , Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Background: Description: Signi cance: • Children and young adults with severe motor impairments are limited in their ability to use • The PWCT is a motorized platform that allows a manual wheelchair to be temporarily • The PWCT provides children and young adults with severe motor impairments the self-initiated movement to access, explore, and learn from the world around them. Such converted into a powered chair. opportunity to safely and effectively explore powered mobility options within a individuals may also have deficits in communication and cognition that make it difficult to • The control panel on the PWCT interfaces with either a wireless switch, proportional supportive environment. accurately assess their ability to learn complex new skills. , or other switch to meet the needs of each individual. • Future program and research objectives include the development of child-centered • Often these individuals are not considered to be appropriate candidates for powered • Safety features of the PWCT permit users to freely explore and learn about their environment instructional tools and valid assessment instruments to optimize use of the PWCT in wheelchair use. while minimizing the need for instructor interference. promoting self-directed mobility for this unique population. • Our Power Wheelchair Trainer (PWCT) provides a unique opportunity for these children and • The PWCT is currently used with children and young adults at an area public school that young adults to explore the phenomenon of powered mobility within a safe and supportive provides services for individuals ages 5-26. environment. • Students are selected to participate in PWCT training based on their interest in the • With intensive practice and training, we believe that the PWCT will provide an avenue environment and their apparent desire to move. through which these individuals may become candidates for powered mobility. • Individual 30-minute practice sessions with the PWCT are conducted 2-3 times per week during the school year and consist of both structured movement tasks and unstructured V.1 self-directed mobility exploration.

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FUNDING SOURCES: Financial support was provided by Grand Valley State University, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan, and Mary Free Bed Fund.

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