I wanted to share with you the amazing experience I had as a participant in the Go Baby Go training sponsored by NuMotion. Dr. Cole Galloway, PhD., Professor Associate Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware STAR Health Sciences Complex, had already won me over the first time I heard him speak about the use of modified motorized toy cars with children with delayed mobility when he was a guest on the Working Therapist Podcast last year. (You can hear that here)
I listened to him speak on YouTube 
and a Ted Talk. (click image to hear talk)
I was immediately inspired to find out everything that I could about how this fun and socially significant strategy could be implemented within my practice with my families. I searched online and found a few Pinterest links that brought me here http://www.whatdoyoudodear.com/build-bumbo-wheelchair/. I was inspired but never followed through with my plans. I even googled to find a Go Baby Go training but at that time, there was not one offered locally. Then, a year later, I received an email that there was a training being offered at Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital and that they had a few spots available. Needless to say, I was eager to make the two-hour drive.
Dr. Sam Logan was our presenter. Sam is a PhD and Assistant Professor in Kinesiology at Oregon State University. He explained his recent research which has focused on examining the role of self-directed mobility on the development of language, cognition, play interactions, and motor behaviors of children with and without disabilities. The research he has conducted, as well as the research of others, has shown that children as young as 6 months old can benefit from this type of mobility to increase movement and stimulate a child’s social, emotional and intellectual behavior. A readily available off-the-shelf car, like the one the two other therapists and I modified that day, can be purchased for around $125. With approximately $90-$100 worth of switches, PVC, wires, and pool noodles, a child can begin moving within their environment with the wind in their hair and a grin on their face. I was blessed to see this first hand. What I had not been prepared for was the ripple effect that resulted within the entire family. I saw elated parents clapping and cheering. I saw out of breath siblings running alongside the motorized cars. I heard A LOT of giggling. Whether or not I had heard of the supportive research, this thing I do know: Laughter doeth good like medicine Proverbs 17:22
It was an experience I will not soon forget. In fact, this has ignited a flame in me to use this new-found knowledge to support the families I work with.
Have you experienced this type of intervention with your child or a child you work with?
Have you modified an off- the -shelf toy for a child with special needs?
I would love to hear your thoughts.
