"Kind of empowered": Perceptions of socio-emotional development in children driving ride-on cars.
Rebecca Barchus, Chelsea Barroero, Wendy Schnare and 2 others
PMID 37079821WHAT IT FOUND
Caregivers described ride-on cars as helping their children feel empowered and equal to peers.
They viewed the cars as a fun toy rather than a medical device, which reduced stigma and allowed for more natural social interaction and autonomy.
Key findings
01Caregivers perceived the ride-on cars as an 'equalizer' that allowed children to play with peers on the same physical level, fostering a sense of equity and inclusion.
02The cars were viewed as toys rather than medical devices, which helped reduce the stigma associated with mobility technology and improved social acceptance in the community.
03Caregivers reported that independent mobility through the cars gave children a sense of autonomy, choice, and empowerment, described as being 'kind of empowered'.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study relied entirely on caregiver reports; children's own perspectives were not collected. The sample was small (15 families) and drawn from a single geographic region (Western Washington), limiting generalizability. The study was not pre-registered, and the research team had prior connections to the intervention program, introducing potential bias. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on family routines and device use could not be isolated or controlled for. Participants were required to speak English, excluding non-English speaking families.
Declared interests
The authors reported no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these positive caregiver perceptions as objective evidence that ride-on cars improve clinical outcomes or socio-emotional development. The study reports subjective experiences from a small group, not measured effects.