Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 16, 2026
Training Persons with Spinal Cord Injury to Ambulate Using a Powered Exoskeleton
Published on: June 16, 2016
Modified Ride-On Car Use by Young Children With Disabilities
Samuel W Logan1, Christina M Hospodar, Heather A Feldner
1Social Mobility Lab (Dr Logan and Ms Hospodar), College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; Department of Mechanical Engineering (Dr Feldner), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences (Dr Huang), Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Pediatric Mobility Lab and Design Studio (Dr Galloway), Department of Physical Therapy and Biomechanics and Movement Sciences Program, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.
Purpose:
The purpose of this single-subject case series study is to determine the effect of modified ride-on car use in natural environments on mobility.
Method:
Three children younger than 2 years diagnosed with various disabilities participated in this 24-week study using a modified ride-on car in their home and community.
Results:
All 3 children demonstrated an ability to independently use the modified ride-on car and enjoyed doing so. Two of the 3 children demonstrated clinically significant gains in mobility skills as measured by the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory.
Conclusions:
Modified ride-on car use is an emerging powered mobility device option for children younger than 2 years. Further research is needed to demonstrate the potential long-term gains of early powered mobility access to young children with disabilities.
