An observation system to assess physical activity of children with developmental disabilities and delays in preschool

Background: Physical activity (PA) behaviors during preschool settings can influence the health and development of children with developmental disabilities (DD). There is a need for a direct observation system that simultaneously assesses PA and preschool environmental contexts. Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop an observation instrument for measuring PA and related contextual factors of preschoolers with DD, and to establish content validity and reliability. Methods: Content validity was established through consultation with experts, informal observations in inclusive and special education preschools, and literature reviews. Categories and codes were identified and modified from existing observational systems for young children. Reliability was assessed in a convenience sample of preschool children with DD using a cross-sectional design. Data were collected using a momentary time sampling system (5-sec observe, 25-sec record) following a focal child. Inter rater reliability was assessed during 20% of the observation sessions. Results: The instrument development process resulted in ten coding categories that accounted for PA levels, types, and social and physical environmental contexts relevant to preschoolers with disabilities. Observers completed 137.5 observation sessions, yielding 5498 30-s observation intervals. Interval-by interval percent agreement was excellent (91%-10 0%) and kappa values were high (0.82-0.99). Conclusions: The instrument was found to be a reliable measure of PA of preschoolers with DD and provided important contextual information about PA behaviors in early childhood special education settings. Additionally, it allowed for the simultaneous measurement of specific types and contexts of PA behaviors of preschoolers with DD and will be useful for describing PA and informing future interventions. (c) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study developed an observation instrument to assess the content validity and reliability of physical activity and related contextual factors of preschoolers with developmental disabilities. The results showed that the instrument is a reliable measure for assessing physical activity in this population, providing important contextual information and allowing for simultaneous measurement of specific types and contexts of physical activity behaviors in this group.