Kids Action Research

Our Approach

KidsAction Coaching is an evidence-based coaching approach that was developed by researchers at UBC in collaboration with Special Olympics BC and the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC). We developed this approach based on our previous research with collaborators including Special Olympics BC. Now we are conducting research to see how the KidsAction approach can be used or adapted through collaborations with organizations in communities.

KidsAction Coaching is best described as a ‘Knowledge Translation’ project. Knowledge Translation (KT) is an ‘implementation science’ which describes the process of taking previous research, knowledge, and findings and combining them into applications that are aimed at improving health of the participants and passing over into the hands of people and organizations who can put it to practical use.

One of the most common questions we receive from parents, coaches, and organizations is regarding our basis in research, and what that means for them. KidsAction Coaching is not a research study. However, there are aspects of the project that require research and evaluation to ensure our project is achieving what it is aiming to do. All these aspects of research are entirely voluntary, and only concern the KidsAction Coaching approach. All matters related to research will be made clearly known and are not required to successfully partake in KidsAction Coaching.

Research Background

Formal literature reviews: We have conducted a scoping review and two systematic reviews with meta-analyses regarding the effects of physical activity programs on children and youth with Neurodevelopmental and/or Intellectual Disabilities (NDID). Our results demonstrate that physical activity not only improves children’s motor performance, but can also enhance their cognitive functioning, social integration, emotional well-being, mental wellness, and daily functioning. Another scoping review by our team on the impacts of social networks and peer support groups on parents of children with NDID showed that families reported more resilience and less anxiety and depression when socially connected to other families.

Research studies: We have completed a longitudinal prospective cohort study that confirmed our findings from the literature on the positive effects of physical activity programs for children with NDID. Another field study has been conducted that found that social participation increased through social networks related to physical activity programs. This study also showed the positive impacts for parents from interacting with other families while their child attended the physical activity programs. Further, through these research studies, we have identified factors related to physical activity program operations that impact their effectiveness, including organizing systematic evaluations of the child’s performance, promoting social interaction among children and their families, having a longer duration of training for coaches and staff, and organizing more personalized activities with pre-specified goals. The large majority of our research studies to date have been conducted in collaboration with Special Olympics BC (SOBC) and have led directly to the current study.

  1. Gitimoghaddam M, Vanderloo L. Ryce A., McKellin WH, Miller AR, Collet JP. Impacts of Attending Community-based Physical Activity and Recreation Programs on Cognitive Functions of Children and Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: A Scoping Review. Brain Sciences Journal. 2021; 11(195). doi: 10.3390/brainsci11020195.
  1. Kwan C, Gitimoghaddam M, and Collet J.P. Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Children with ADHD or Other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: A Scoping Review. Brain Sciences Journal. 2020;10 (11):1-3. doi: 3390/brainsci10110786
  1. Chakraborti M., Gitimoghaddam M., McKellin W., Miller A., Collet JP. Understanding the Implications of Peer Support for Families of Children with Brain-Based Developmental Disabilities: A Scoping Review. Frontiers in Public Health. Accepted (November 2021)
  1. Gitimoghaddam M, McKellin WH, Miller AR, Weiss JA, Majnemer A, Mâsse LC, Brant R., Symington V, Wishart RL., Collet JP. Gymnastic-based Movement Therapy for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Results from a Pilot Feasibility Study. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2019; 7(186). doi: 10.3389/fped.2019.00186
  1. Gitimoghaddam M, Collet JP, Miller AR, Majnemer A, Weiss J, McKellin WH, Mâsse Developing a Reference Framework for Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Activity-based Personalized Interventions for Children and Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (CYNDs). International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience. 2015;47:126-127. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2015.04.337
  1. Gitimoghaddam M, Collet JP, Miller AR, Majnemer A, Weiss J, Symington V, Wishart RL, Mâsse LC, McKellin WH. Evaluation of a Multi-Level Gymnastic-based Comprehensive Intervention for Children and Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (CYNDs): Preliminary Results. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience. 2015;47:127. doi:1016/j.ijdevneu.2015.04.339

  • Olsen L., Gitimoghaddam M., Collet J.P., McKellin W., Glegg S., Nault T., McNary L.Innovative coaching approaches for children living with neurodevelopmental disabilities to enhance equitable physical activity participation in rural Visuals + Elevator Pitch. 2021 RuralHealth Equity Conference.Fall 2021. Nelson, BC.
  • Olsen L., Gitimoghaddam M., Nault T. Innovative coaching approaches for children living with neurodevelopmental disabilities to enhance equitable physical activities with Indigenous families in BC. Health xChange organized by MSFHR, Interior Health and KGH Foundation. Kelowna, BC. June 2022.
  • Gitimoghaddam M., Collet M., Collet P., Olsen L. Glegg S., McKellin W. The Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children with Neurodevelopmental and Intellectual Disabilities and Their Families: A Survey. Kids Brain Health Network Virtual Conference. November 9-13, 2020
  • Kwan C., Gitimoghaddam M., Collet JP. Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Children with ADHD or Other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: A Scoping Review. 16th Annual CADDRA (Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance) ADHD Conference. October 23-25, 2020.
  • Kwan C, Gitimoghaddam M, Collet JP. Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: A Scoping Review. 7th Biennial Conference on Developmental Disabilities: Health and Wellbeing across the Lifespan. Poster presentation. November 2020.
  • Gitimoghaddam M., Olsen L., McKellin W, Glegg S., Collet JP. Physical Activity Strategies to Enhance Children’s Development and Families’ Resilience: Innovative Coaching Approach. Children’s Healthcare Canada Annual Conference. Ottawa, Ontario, December 8-10, 2019.
  • Gitimoghaddam M, McKellin WH, Miller AR, Collet JP. The Impacts of Physical Activity Programs on Development of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Parents’ Perceptions. Kids Brain Health Conference. Ottawa, Canada. December 10-11, 2019.
  • Gitimoghaddam M, McKellin WH, Miller AR, Collet JP. Physical Activity Programs for the Development of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Parents’ Perspectives. Society for Research in Child Development. Baltimore, MD, USA. 20-23 March 2019.
  • Gitimoghaddam M, Collet JP, McKellin WH, Miller AR. Physical activity and recreational programs for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: The parent perspective regarding improvement. Brain, Body, Cognition Conference at Harvard University’s School of Medicine. Boston, USA, on 27-29 July 2018.
  • Gitimoghaddam M, Chakraborti M, McKellin WH, Miller AR, Collet JP. Community-based Physical activity programs for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: An innovative approach for child and family development. Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) Conference: Facing a changing world: Transformative leadership and practice. Proceedings of a conference. Nov 16-17, 2017.
  • Chakraborti M., Kong P., Miller AR., McKellin WH., Collet JP. The Development of Social Networks among Families attending Physical Activity Programs for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, 2017 Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres (CAPHC) Annual Conference, October 22 – 24, 2017.
  • Chakraborti M, McKellin WH, Miller AR, Collet JP. Physical Activity Programs for Children with Neurodevelopment Deficiency: An Avenue for Strengthening Families through Social Network Supports. The 5th Health & Wellbeing in Children, Youth, and Adults with Developmental Disabilities Conference. Vancouver, Canada. November 17-18, 2016.
  • Gitimoghaddam M, McKellin WH, Miller AR, Weiss J, Majnemer A, Mâsse LC, Symington V, Collet JP. Physical Activity Programs for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. The 5th Health & Wellbeing in Children, Youth, and Adults with Developmental Disabilities Conference. Vancouver, Canada. November 17-18, 2016.
  • Gitimoghaddam M, McKellin WH, Weiss J, Miller AR, Majnemer A, Symington V, Wishart RL, Mâsse LC, Collet JP. Evaluation of a Child-Centred and Gymnastic-based Movement Therapy Program for Children and Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Brain Development Conference. Ottawa. Canada. September 19-21, 2015.
  • Gitimoghaddam M, Collet JP, Miller AR, Majnemer A, Weiss J, McKellin WH, Mâsse LC. Considerations Regarding Activity-based Interventions: Toward a conceptual Framework. The 4th Health & Wellbeing in Children, Youth, and Adults with Developmental Disabilities Conference. Vancouver, Canada. October 22-24, 2014.
  • Collet JP, Wishart RL, Miller AR, Gitimoghaddam M, Symington V, Mâsse LC, McKellin WH. Learning and developing with disabilities: an interactive and adaptive child-centred habilitation program. The Early Years Conference 2014. Shaping Childhood: Factors that Matter. Vancouver, Canada. Jan 30-Feb 1, 2014.