Participando da esporteterapia: percepção de pais de crianças com paralisia cerebral

Abstract

The aim of the study was to understand the perception of parents of children with cerebral palsy with severe motor impairments, regarding children’s participation in activities at an adapted sport program at Associação Mineira de Reabilitação (AMR). A qualitative study was conducted with twelve caregivers of children with cerebral palsy with severe motor impairments. The children took part, weekly, on the adapted sport program at AMR. Semi-structured interviews with children’s caregivers were performed and they encompassed questions related to caregivers’ expectations regarding the services and the understanding about the proposed activities, positive and negative aspects related to children’s participation, observed possible children’s changes after the beginning of the sport program and suggestions to improve services. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through content analysis. Three thematic categories were found: (1) Sport, rehabilitation or socialization through play?; (2) Facilitators and barriers of participation at the sport program; (3) Socialization, behavior and movement. Families reported that the children’s participation in the adapted sport program led to improvements on children’s motor, behavior and social skills. The relationship between instructors and children and their families seem to be an important element to promote children’s participation in the proposed activities. Such information can subside the use of sport activities in rehabilitation services for children with disabilities.