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Early Mobility Innovation for Young Children with IDD
CREATE PhD student Mia Hoffman and CREATE postdoctoral scholar Dr. Bethany Sloane are advancing new approaches to early mobility for young children with developmental and motor disabilities. Their work, developed through UW CREATE in partnership with the Neuromechanics and Mobility Lab, shows how engineering and pediatric therapy can come together to support early participation and exploration for children with IDD.
At the APTA Pediatrics 2025 Conference, Hoffman and Sloane presented a session on reimagining mobility aids through interdisciplinary design. Their examples included 3D printed joystick adaptations, sensor integrated systems that help track motor engagement, and community loaner programs that expand access to powered mobility in early childhood. These approaches were designed to support early communication, play, and interaction for young children with cerebral palsy and other developmental delays.
A full recap of their conference session is available in the lab’s news post: Reimagining Mobility Aids – APTA Pediatrics 2025
Dr. Sloane is also leading a new NIH K23 funded project focused on implementing powered mobility training within home based early intervention. Her research includes developing training for therapists and caregivers using the Permobil Explorer Mini, collecting data on how mobility devices are used in daily routines, and identifying barriers to early mobility for children under age three with significant motor delays.
More about her NIH funded work is available here: NIH funded mobility research for children with motor delays
This work is supported by CREATE faculty advisors Dr. Katherine M. Steele and Dr. Heather Feldner, whose research examines mobility, participation, and early developmental outcomes for children with disabilities. Together, these interdisciplinary efforts highlight the critical role of early mobility in supporting communication, social engagement, and participation for young children with IDD.
