Developing a smart playing program for children diagnosed with disabilities: a pilot study

Play is essential for child development, particularly for those with disabilities. The integration of information and communication technology(ICT) offers promising solutions to address the barriers to play for children with disabilities by improving accessibility and engagement. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a smart care play program for children with disabilities and their families.

This methodological study used a Living Lab to involve program development and evaluation through a mixed-methods approach. In the development phase, mothers of children with disabilities, healthcare professionals, and rehabilitation therapists contributed to creating a play matrix and seven program prototypes comprising 38 play activities. In the evaluation phase, nine children with disabilities participated in the pilot program (January-September 2020), with each participant engaging in the program for at least two months. Program satisfaction was assessed through focus group interviews and a questionnaire.

Participants' needs for play were identified as safe, developmentally supportive, tailored to children's cognitive and physical condition, engaging, and credible. Based on these needs, thirty-eight expert-validated play programs were developed using Kinect or eye-tracking devices according to each child's physical functioning level. Each program had four levels of play. Children and families expressed satisfaction with the programs, identifying three themes: Promoting elements for immersion in the smart care play, Benefits of the smart care play, and Estrangement from the smart care play.

The play program demonstrated initial feasibility in supporting play participation for children with disabilities, though device-related challenges indicate the need for further refinement.