Utilization of playground by children suffering from cerebral palsy, spastic diparetic type: preferences and difficulties reported by mothers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate how does the use of the playground by a group of children with spastic diparetic cerebral palsy, according to their mothers' verbal report. Ten mothers of children between four and eight years participated of this research and answered a questionnaire with questions about the child performance in the playground space. Subsequently, five mothers were selected to participate in another phase of the study, which consisted in regularly attend the playground with their children. The data was collected in a semi-structured interview, conducted by the researcher and recorded on audiotape. Mothers reported frequenting public parks with playgrounds for their children, stating that the children reacted well to the stimuli offered by the toys, presenting little difficulty in social relationships and refer that they have been little counseling on the benefits of the playground by professionals who working in development. Children's performance showed that this environment may be conducive to the motor and social development, providing the vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile stimulus, like those offered on sensory integration therapy. It is hoped an alternative propose of stimulation for the child with cerebral palsy in the natural environment of the playground, providing a better motor development, cognitive and social development.