What happens when researchers, physical therapists, and engineers team up to help children with motor delays get moving? GoBabyGo happens! This innovative program turns ride-on cars from local toy stores into custom motorized vehicles that address each child's individual needs. Instead of boring, repetitive PT activities, these kids will be moving, exploring, and playing like other kids their age. All while meeting specific PT goals!

Ready, Set, Go!

Can you imagine the excitement these children experience when they realize that they have the power to go? Watch this video from station WTHR in Indianapolis to see their joy for yourself. Being able to explore and interact with their world is an important developmental process for children. It helps them forge new neural pathways that will help them throughout their lives. Unfortunately, many children with motor delays miss out on this process because they can't explore and interact on their own. One of these little vehicles gives them that opportunity.

Personalizing the Vehicles

In order to get started, each child is evaluated by a team of physical therapy students, researchers, engineers, and volunteers. The child's PT goals are factored in, along with modifying the vehicle to match the child's needs and abilities. Modifications may include special supports to hold the child upright, easy-to-use starter buttons, and five-point harnesses.

Physical therapy goals are met by incorporating their PT exercises into how they drive their cars. For instance, putting controls on her weaker side encourages her to use that hand more. An ATV that only works when he's standing helps him build leg strength while racing his friends around the playground.

Each vehicle also gets a personalized paint job and colorful decals to make it as unique as its driver. It's hard to tell just by looking that these cool, tricked out vehicles are also customized therapy tools!

If you're interested in helping children reach their physical therapy goals in the best ways possible, contact us or browse our job opportunities.

And if interested in learning more about this and related topics, visit the Healthcare section of our blog.

Related Articles:

• Physical Therapists Inventing Ways to Help People Move
• Restful Sleep: the Foundation of Occupational Therapy
• Fighting the Battle of the Bulge with Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy Based Tips When Shoveling Snow
• Getting Your Groove Back Through Occupational Therapy
• Exciting New Research About Physical Therapy for Infants
• Physical Therapy Helps Paralyzed Man Walk Again
• Exceptional Occupational Therapy for Exceptional Children
• Childhood PT Becomes Inspiration For a New Company
• Physical Therapy for the Brain on the Horizon