A Comparison of Leisure-Time Activities between Able-Bodied Children and Children with Physical Disabilities

Abstract

This article reports on a survey of able-bodied and physically disabled children to investigate their out-of-school activities. It outlines the importance of play and leisure time in the child's development before considering the findings from a questionnaire given to 6–11 year olds. The results mirror those elsewhere in the literature, mostly from the USA, that children with physical disabilities have a less rich play experience than able-bodied children, spending more time in the company of adults, watching television more and generally having less variety in their lives. The significance of the findings for occupational therapy is discussed and areas for future research are suggested.