I Want to Play: Children With Cerebral Palsy Talk About Their Experiences on Barriers and Facilitators to Participation in Leisure Activities.

Purpose: To explore how children with cerebral palsy (CP) experience participation in leisure activities and to describe the environmental barriers and facilitators.

Methods: Sixteen children with cerebral palsy aged 7 to 17 years participated in 3 focus groups. Data were analyzed thematically by 3 researchers on the basis of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Results: A total of 38 International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health categories were identified (4 linked to Body functions; 2 linked to Body structures; 8 linked to Activities & Participation, and 24 to Environmental factors: 10 facilitators and 14 barriers). The most mentioned categories were Voluntary movement control functions, Functions related to gait pattern, Structure of upper arm, Recreation and leisure, Nuclear family and finally, and Individual attitudes of acquaintances.

Conclusions: The main barriers identified by children with cerebral palsy highlight aspects of the physical, social, and attitudinal environment that could be modified to enhance participation in leisure activities.