Comparing participation in activities among children with disabilities.
Kids with chronic medical conditions need extra help in physical play, while kids with neuro disorders may need help in academic clubs.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team looked at a national school dataset. They compared how often kids with neurodevelopmental disorders joined activities versus kids with chronic medical conditions.
They counted gym class, sports, and classroom lessons. The goal was to see which group faced bigger participation hurdles.
What they found
Kids with neuro disorders took part in more gym and playground time. Kids with medical issues joined more reading and math tasks.
The pattern flips by setting. Physical fun favors one group. Academic fun favors the other.
How this fits with other research
Woodmansee et al. (2016) widened the lens. They matched kids with disabilities to typically developing peers in community sports. Both studies show the same core truth: diagnosis alone does not predict who joins in.
Lin et al. (2015) looked at recess only. They found teens in self-contained rooms moved less than peers in inclusive rooms. Early et al. (2012) echo this: placement and health condition shape activity more than the label.
Lerman et al. (1995) asked parents of preschoolers. Families already reported fewer park visits and more public fear. The 2012 school data continue the story: participation gaps start early and follow kids into elementary years.
Why it matters
When you write an IEP or plan gym goals, check the child’s health profile, not just the diagnosis. A student with diabetes may need more support to join kickball. A student with autism may need help staying in reading club. Match the support to the setting. Ask which activity type is tough, then build the bridge.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Look at tomorrow’s schedule and add one support tool for the setting the child usually skips.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
INTRODUCTION: Compared to typically developing peers, children with disabilities due to neurodevelopmental disorders and disabilities (NDD/D) and to chronic medical conditions (CMC) have reduced participation in activities. The extent to which these two groups of children have different levels of participation is unknown and was examined in this study. METHODS: The 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey children dataset collected by Statistics Canada was analyzed. Children with disabilities due to NDD/D and CMC were identified following review and classification of all ICD-10 codes in the dataset by two pediatricians. Dependent variables were parent-reported child participation in supervised and unsupervised physical activities within and outside of school, educational activities, and social/recreational activities. Logistic regression analyses, with relevant covariates (child and familial characteristics), were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Children with NDD/D were significantly more likely to take part in supervised and unsupervised physical activity at school than children with CMC (p<0.001). A similar trend was observed for participation in school outings, although the effect was not significant at p<0.01. Finally, a trend in the opposite direction was observed for educational activities, as children with NDD/D were less likely to take part in these activities than children with CMC. DISCUSSION: Finding decreased participation among children with CMC compared with NDD/D was not predicted a priori but has potential implications for their mental and physical health. CONCLUSIONS: Gaining a better understanding of the barriers to participation in physical activity may contribute to improving the overall health status of children with CMC.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2012 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2012.07.002