Join Fiona and Christina in discussing movement in children in disabilities
Fiona first shares how her work became a lifelong passion.
CHALLENGES CHILDREN FACE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS
The ignorance and lack of understanding or misunderstanding are barriers. The biggest impact for children from a developmental perspective is their exposure to peers. Not going to school, or having a lot of disruption or not being able to play in the same way as their peers.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY RESEARCH IN CHILDREN AND BENEFITS
In 2002 there was no information on physical activity for children with disabilities. There was a fear discourse, the notion that children were too fragile, sick, weak, susceptible, vulnerable. A population that's faced a lot of paternalism and overprotection. Our research has really started to shift the narrative, away from these kids being too weak and vulnerable, and injury prone.
There's a range of gross motor and fine motor skills and enhancements. There's functional improvements in activities of daily living, and participation and inclusion, through physical activity. From the psycho social side, it enhances perceptions of social inclusion, wellness, friendship, quality, quality of life, mental health, intra personal issues, like self efficacy and self confidence. There's a range of benefits and additive benefits that kids with disabilities do get through physical activity. It's safe and normal and good and advisable.
BARRIERS TO MOVEMENT
There are many barriers that can include: physical activity barriers in the school system are really really common. Parents just don't know about the benefits. Some parental overprotection with fears to allow their child to engage, they might not have the economic resources to find their child and opportunity. Internal psychological barriers. Children with disabilities are never seeing themselves represented, that critical social modeling and role modeling.
BULLYING
Bullying and exclusion and stigma are such formidable barriers for children with disabilities. We do have deeply ingrained normative ideas of what bodies look like and how they move. Disabled bodies might move in ways that we consider not normal, that can also invite bullying and exclusion. It can damage self efficacy and cause children to shift their interest. Bodies move in many different ways and there are many ways to be physically successful at a skill. There are many ways to move, to play and to move your body with freedom. All of that's okay.
THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH IN CHILDHOOD DISABILITIES
10 years ago, there was more of a hierarchy in research design, with a lot more emphasis and prestige, placed on quantitative research. Qualitative research has been so much more embraced by the community, and regarded to have the same degree of social scientific merit. Qualitative research diminishes the hierarchy between the researcher and the participant and works to empower patient’s voices and experiences.
CONCEPT OF TIME WITH CHILDREN WITH LIFE SHORTENING ILLNESSES
For children with life shortening illnesses, or life threatening illnesses it's complicated. Most people with cystic fibrosis can expect to live into their mid 40s. Time is an ideological construct, like we won't question it, unless it's taken. We take it for granted unless it's threatened. Children, teenagers, young adults living with life shortening conditions, do really grapple with this concept of time and how to use it in the best way.
LinkedIn: Dr. Fiona Moola
Holland Bloorview: https://www.hollandbloorview.ca/people/fiona-moola
