中・重度脳性マヒ児集団の友人関係に関する研究

コンピュータゲームを利用した友人関係拡大の試み

抄録

In a first study, friendship patterns among eight moderate and severe cerebral palsied children were examined by sociometric test and by observation. It was shown that children who had poor verbal expression abilities or unable to move by themselves tended to be isolated in the group. But, according to the sociometric test, isolated children were found to wish to communicate with other children. In order to solve these problems, a computer baseball game was applied to the children in a second study. By using a microcomputer and a sensor, children could play the game irrespectively of their handicap. The result of playing this game was that social interaction increased and expanded in the group and new friendship patterns shaped. Such result was interpreted as follows: the participation in the group game contributed to the increase in confidence of isolated children, and the children also better understood each other's abilities.