Balance Board Sensory to Increase Body Balance’s Children with Special Needs

Children with special needs is a child who has obstacles in his growth and development. Children with special needs with multiple disabilities are children who have special learning needs and barriers caused by a combination of barriers and special learning needs caused by a combination of physical, sensory, social, emotional, intellectual and others. The condition of this multiple obstacle varies greatly depending on the type of mild and severity of the obstacle experienced. This study aims to produce an educational game tool (APE) to assist teachers and parents coaches in stimulating motor skills related to static and dynamic balance’s children with special needs. The research methods model used is ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation), involving 4 teachers and 20 students with special needs (8-12 years olds). expert judgment in this study consisted of 4 experts, consisting 2 learning media experts, 1 psychologist, and 1 adaptive physical educator. Expert  analysis of APE balance board sensory product using CVI and CVR, based on the result of the analysis, an average score of 0.7 which means the validity is high and it can be concluded that APE balance board sensory help teachers and parents stimulate the static and dynamic balance skill children with special needs

Sensory integration therapy of a six year-old girl: a case study

The main problem of the study was formulated as follows: what kind of change was observed during Sensory Integration Therapy in M - a 6 year-old girl? The specific question was whether M`s functioning had changed during the one and a half years of sensory integration therapy in terms of the reactions of vestibular and proprioceptive systems, as well as touch, coordination, muscular tension, hearing, sight, smell, taste, self-control and attention focus. The purpose of the study was to show the potential of SI therapy in terms of improving sensory systems functioning and quality of life of a 6 yearold girl with registration and modulation problems as well as hearing and sight deficiency. To solve the problem clinical observation was used. The child`s behavior during examination and her spontaneous reactions were also observed. The Sensorimotor Skills Questionnaire by Karga was used on the basis of conversation with M`s mother. Data gathered before therapy and after a year and a half of its duration were compared. Therapy consisted mainly of exercises stimulating vestibular and proprioceptive systems, sound discrimination, touch, hearing, sight and smell. After a year and a half of therapy, a significant decrease in the frequency of M’s unfavourable reactions was registered in the areas of touch (χ2=14,45; p=0,0001), proprioception (χ2=10,56; p=0,001), hearing (χ2=7,07; p=0,008) and self-regulation and attention (χ2=8,71; p=0,003). Vomit reactions and tendency to taste uneatable objects disappeared. The girl started to express verbally satisfaction with her progress. A year and a half of SI therapy increased M`s well-being

Integrating the Nintendo Wii into Therapy: Resources for Occupational Therapy Practitioners

Therapists have the challenge of identifying a variety of interesting, meaningful, and purposeful intervention activities for individuals needing rehabilitation services (Weiss, Rand, Katz, & Kizony, 2004). The purpose of this project was to develop educational resources for occupational therapists on the integration of the Nintendo Wii as an intervention. An extensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, professional journals, and news articles to investigate the health related effects of utilizing virtual reality and video games in the rehabilitation process. Currently, there is minimal research identifying the benefits of video games in occupational therapy practice and no protocols were found to assist occupational therapists with implementing the Nintendo Wii into occupational therapy practice. Resources were developed to educate occupational therapy practitioners on integrating the Nintendo Wii as an occupational therapy intervention. Resources include an educational in-service, a system set-up guide, instructions for creating a Mii character, an activity analysis of the Nintendo Wii Sports games, suggested intervention chart for select performance skills, and case scenario application activities. The educational inservice provides information on the role of virtual reality in rehabilitation, benefits and precautions/contraindications of virtual reality, identification of Nintendo Wii equipment, and system set-up instructions. The Adult Learning Theory and the Model of Human Occupation were utilized in the development of the product. This educational in-service provides occupational therapists with information on the integration of the Nintendo Wii. It provides foundational knowledge allowing therapists to adapt and modify the use of the Nintendo Wii to facilitate occupational performance and client-centered practice. The authors of this scholarly project recommend that the Nintendo Wii be used as an adjunct to occupation-based intervention. It is also recommended that more research be conducted regarding the use of video games, specifically the Nintendo Wii, in occupational therapy to determine the efficacy of this type of approach

Motion-based technology to support motor skills screening in developing children: A scoping review

Background. Acquiring motor skills is fundamental for children's development since it is linked to cognitive development. However, access to early detection of motor development delays is limited. Aim. This review explores the use and potential of motion-based technology (MBT) as a complement to support and increase access to motor screening in developing children. Methods. Six databases were searched following the PRISMA guidelines to search, select, and assess relevant works where MBT recognised the execution of children's motor skills. Results. 164 studies were analysed to understand the type of MBT used, the motor skills detected, the purpose of using MBT and the age group targeted. Conclusions. There is a gap in the literature aiming to integrate MBT in motor skills development screening and assessment processes. Depth sensors are the prevailing technology offering the largest detection range for children from age 2. Nonetheless, the motor skills detected by MBT represent about half of the motor skills usually observed to screen and assess motor development. Overall, research in this field is underexplored. The use of multimodal approaches, combining various motion-based sensors, may support professionals in the health domain and increase access to early detection programmes.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA

Sport Exergames for Physical Education

Sports active video games (exergames) are accessible forms of physical activity which might also be used in physical education (PE) curriculum. The purpose of this book chapter is to firstly, review some of the relevant applications of sports exergames for inclusion in PE and secondly, to characterize one of these games (swimming) from different aspects of biomechanics, physiology, and psychology. We compared movement patterns, muscle activation, energy expenditure, enjoyment, usability, and game experience in participants with different performing levels (real-swimmers vs. non-swimmers, experienced vs. novice) and gender. Understanding these parameters may help in the development of more realistic sports exergames and meaningful gameplay and may give PE teachers a better idea of the inclusion of such games in their practice

Augmented Interaction Systems for Supporting Autistic Children. Evolution of a Multichannel Expressive Tool: The SEMI Project Feasibility Study

International audienceBackground: Over the past ten years, the authors have been designing, developing, and testing pervasive technology to support children with autism (ASD). Methods: In the present study, an integrated system based on multimedia and augmented interaction technologies have been tested on young subjects with ASD and dyspraxia in the age range of 6-10 years, in charge for rehabilitation treatments; a team of clinical psychologists has analyzed the results of the experimentation. The ten children involved in the project underwent an initial assessment of praxis skills and motor coordination. Subsequently, the subjects were subdivided into two subgroups: five children participated in the experimentation and five were evaluated as the control group (treatment as usual). Results: The evaluation showed an increased score in the several aspects considered, and particularly those related to motor coordination. An improvement in balancing tests and in hands-movement testing was found. Conclusion: The children involved in the sessions showed greater ability to self-control the movement as well as to select specific motor areas. The methods used seem to be promising to improve emotional and social skills too in a motivating and enjoyable climate. A high level of acceptance by professionals was observed and parents' feedback was also positive

Sensory Manipulation as a Countermeasure to Robot Teleoperation Delays: System and Evidence

In the field of robotics, robot teleoperation for remote or hazardous environments has become increasingly vital. A major challenge is the lag between command and action, negatively affecting operator awareness, performance, and mental strain. Even with advanced technology, mitigating these delays, especially in long-distance operations, remains challenging. Current solutions largely focus on machine-based adjustments. Yet, there's a gap in using human perceptions to improve the teleoperation experience. This paper presents a unique method of sensory manipulation to help humans adapt to such delays. Drawing from motor learning principles, it suggests that modifying sensory stimuli can lessen the perception of these delays. Instead of introducing new skills, the approach uses existing motor coordination knowledge. The aim is to minimize the need for extensive training or complex automation. A study with 41 participants explored the effects of altered haptic cues in delayed teleoperations. These cues were sourced from advanced physics engines and robot sensors. Results highlighted benefits like reduced task time and improved perceptions of visual delays. Real-time haptic feedback significantly contributed to reduced mental strain and increased confidence. This research emphasizes human adaptation as a key element in robot teleoperation, advocating for improved teleoperation efficiency via swift human adaptation, rather than solely optimizing robots for delay adjustment.Comment: Submitted to Scientific Report

Projection of a child's developmental challenges to the levels of the Williams and Shellenberger's pyramid of learning

Висвітлено необхідність психолого-педагогічної допомоги дітям з особливими освітніми потребами з нерізко вираженими проблемами розвитку, у яких немає медичного або психолого-педагогічного діагнозу. Встановлено, що проекція таких проблем розвитку дитини на рівні піраміди навчання Вільямса та Шеленбергера допомагає виявити проблему дитини, розробити для неї особливий режим навчання та виховання, привернути увагу психологів і педагогів на необхідність створення індивідуальної програми корекції та диференційованих вимог до дитини в умовах інклюзивної форми навчання.The article highlights the need for psychological and pedagogical assistance to children with special educational needs with mild development problems, who do not have a medical or psychological and pedagogical diagnosis. The projection of such child development problems to the levels of the Williams and Shelenberger education pyramid helps to detect the child’s problem, develop a special training and education mode for it, and draw the attention of psychologists and educators to the need to create an individual correction program and differentiated requirements for the child under conditions of spontaneous inclusion

Fostering a Loving Connection: A Foster Parent’s Toolkit for Understanding and Addressing Behaviors for Children Placed in Out-of-Home Care

Children placed in out-of-home care have an 80% chance of having a mental health diagnosis or experiencing negative behaviors related to trauma experiences (Armstrong-Hiemsoth et al., 2020). Children in foster care have been exposed to trauma by being removed from their biological parents and the abuse, neglect, or unsafe conditions that occurred leading up to the removal and placement in out-of-home care (Bartlett, 2021). From this trauma, a child is more likely to experience difficulty with basic self-care skills, executive functioning, emotional regulation, attachment disorders, or positive interactions and relationships within the foster home and their environment (Pervis et al., 2013). Current trauma-informed programming created for foster parents and foster care professionals are aimed toward providing education to stakeholders about the prevalence of trauma and how trauma impacts a foster child and the child’s functioning (Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, 2022). While these programs are important to give foundational information about trauma-informed parenting, many current programs do not provide easy to implement solutions for addressing children’s trauma behaviors (Bartlett & Rushovich, 2018). Barriers to current programing are the cost of the education, the educational level requirements of the programming, and the ease of usability and implementation of the programming (Bartlett & Rushovich, 2018)

How a Diverse Research Ecosystem Has Generated New Rehabilitation Technologies: Review of NIDILRR’s Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers

Over 50 million United States citizens (1 in 6 people in the US) have a developmental, acquired, or degenerative disability. The average US citizen can expect to live 20% of his or her life with a disability. Rehabilitation technologies play a major role in improving the quality of life for people with a disability, yet widespread and highly challenging needs remain. Within the US, a major effort aimed at the creation and evaluation of rehabilitation technology has been the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) sponsored by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. As envisioned at their conception by a panel of the National Academy of Science in 1970, these centers were intended to take a “total approach to rehabilitation”, combining medicine, engineering, and related science, to improve the quality of life of individuals with a disability. Here, we review the scope, achievements, and ongoing projects of an unbiased sample of 19 currently active or recently terminated RERCs. Specifically, for each center, we briefly explain the needs it targets, summarize key historical advances, identify emerging innovations, and consider future directions. Our assessment from this review is that the RERC program indeed involves a multidisciplinary approach, with 36 professional fields involved, although 70% of research and development staff are in engineering fields, 23% in clinical fields, and only 7% in basic science fields; significantly, 11% of the professional staff have a disability related to their research. We observe that the RERC program has substantially diversified the scope of its work since the 1970’s, addressing more types of disabilities using more technologies, and, in particular, often now focusing on information technologies. RERC work also now often views users as integrated into an interdependent society through technologies that both people with and without disabilities co-use (such as the internet, wireless communication, and architecture). In addition, RERC research has evolved to view users as able at improving outcomes through learning, exercise, and plasticity (rather than being static), which can be optimally timed. We provide examples of rehabilitation technology innovation produced by the RERCs that illustrate this increasingly diversifying scope and evolving perspective. We conclude by discussing growth opportunities and possible future directions of the RERC program