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

  • Ortwein, K., Barnaby, S., Beauregard, N., Glegg, S., & Olsen, L. (April 29, 2026). Community partnerships for wellness. BCRPA Symposium, Prince Rupert Civic Centre.

  • Ortwein, K., Santos, A., et al. (October 20, 22–23, 2025). KidsAction Coaching Presents: Virtual physical activity programs for children with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities. KTDRR Virtual Conference.
  • Olsen, L., Glegg, S., & Barnaby, S. (June 19, 2025). KidsAction Partnering on disability support through Indigenous cultural dance. Inclusion BC Research Day.
  • Ortwein, K., & Unma, D. (2024). Everybody Belongs! Inclusion BC Annual Conference, Nanaimo, Canada.
  • Glegg, S., Olsen, L., & Barnaby, S. (2024). KidsAction Coaching NIPAW presentation.
  • Glegg, S. (2024). KidsAction Coaching: Community physical activity programs tailored for you. ConnecTra Society.
  • Nault, T. (November 10, 2023). KidsAction Coaching: Promoting physical activity – Indigenous engagement. Special Olympics Virtual Coordinator Conference.
  • Field, A., Saundercook, M., Blanchard, A., Olsen, L., Gitimoghaddam, M., Collet, J. P., Nault, T., McKellin, W., & Glegg, S. (October 23–24, 2023). KidsAction Coaching in action with Challenger Baseball – Jays Care Foundation. Kids Brain Health Network Annual Conference, Ottawa, Canada.
  • Olsen, L., Field, A., Joe-Mayes, T., & Glegg, S. (September 12, 2023). KidsAction Coaching: An introduction. Special Olympics Coordinator Conference, Toronto, Canada.
  • McKellin, W., Nault, T., & Glegg, S. (June 5, 2023). KidsAction Coaching: Promoting physical activity for kids and their families. Family Support Institute of British Columbia, Learning Explorations Series (Virtual).
  • Olsen, L., Gitimoghaddam, M., Glegg, S., Connors, V., Hawes, J., Campbell, K., Nault, T., McKellin, W., Field, A., & Collet, J. P. (May 10–12, 2023). KidsAction Coaching in an adapted ski program context. Nordic Network on Disability Research (NNDR) Conference, Reykjavik, Iceland.
  • Glegg, S., Nault, T., Field, A., Gitimoghaddam, M., McKellin, W., Collet, J. P., & Olsen, L. (May 2023). Challenges and successes of implementing KidsAction Coaching in physical activity programs for children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical and Health Education Canada Research Forum, Charlottetown, PEI.
  • Nault, T., & Glegg, S. (May 2023). Weaving trust and relationships into KidsAction with Indigenous children and families. Physical and Health Education Canada Conference, Charlottetown, PEI.
  • Nault, T., & Olsen, L. (February 14, 2023). KidsAction Coaching: Weaving trust and knowledge into culturally safe research with Indigenous families and communities. Canadian Centre for Inclusion and Citizenship Webinar.
  • Glegg, S., Nault, M., Nault, T., Joe-Mayes, T., Olsen, L., Gitimoghaddam, M., Collet, J. P., & McKellin, W. (August 2022). Weaving trust and relationships into KidsAction implementation research with Indigenous partners. DOHaD Conference.
  • Glegg, S., & Nault, T. (August 28, 2022). Implementing KidsAction Coaching: Partnering for Indigenous cultural safety. Kids Brain Health Network Meeting, Vancouver, BC.
  • Olsen, L., Gitimoghaddam, M., Nault, T. (June 2022). Innovative coaching approaches for children living with neurodevelopmental disabilities to enhance equitable physical activities with Indigenous families in BC. Health xChange (MSFHR, Interior Health, KGH Foundation), Kelowna, BC.
  • Collet, J. P., & Olsen, L. (May 30, 2022). Kids Action Coaching (KAC) to enhance physical activity practices for children and youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities: Continuing implementation during COVID-19 social restrictions. Oral presentation, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.
  • Olsen, L., Gitimoghaddam, M., Collet, J. P., McKellin, W., Glegg, S., Nault, T., & McNary, L. (Fall 2021). Innovative coaching approaches for children living with neurodevelopmental disabilities to enhance equitable physical activity participation in rural communities. Rural Health Equity Conference, Nelson, BC.
  • Gitimoghaddam, M., Collet, M., Collet, P., Olsen, L., Glegg, S., & McKellin, W. (November 9–13, 2020). The impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on children with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities and their families: A survey. Kids Brain Health Network Virtual Conference.
  • Kwan, C., Gitimoghaddam, M., & Collet, J. P. (October 23–25, 2020). Effects of social isolation and loneliness in children with ADHD or other neurodevelopmental disabilities: A scoping review. CADDRA ADHD Conference.
  • Kwan, C., Gitimoghaddam, M., & Collet, J. P. (November 2020). Effects of social isolation and loneliness in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: A scoping review. Biennial Conference on Developmental Disabilities (Poster).
  • Gitimoghaddam, M., Olsen, L., McKellin, W., Glegg, S., & Collet, J. P. (December 8–10, 2019). Physical activity strategies to enhance children’s development and families’ resilience: Innovative coaching approach. Children’s Healthcare Canada Conference, Ottawa, ON.
  • Gitimoghaddam, M., McKellin, W., Miller, A. R., & Collet, J. P. (December 10–11, 2019). Impacts of physical activity programs on development of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: Parents’ perceptions. Kids Brain Health Conference, Ottawa, ON.
  • Gitimoghaddam, M., McKellin, W., Miller, A. R., & Collet, J. P. (March 20–23, 2019). Physical activity programs for the development of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: Parents’ perspectives. Society for Research in Child Development, Baltimore, MD.
  • Gitimoghaddam, M., Collet, J. P., McKellin, W., & Miller, A. R. (July 27–29, 2018). Physical activity and recreational programs for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: Parent perspectives. Harvard Medical School Conference, Boston, MA.
  • Gitimoghaddam, M., Chakraborti, M., McKellin, W., Miller, A. R., & Collet, J. P. (November 16–17, 2017). Community-based physical activity programs for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: An innovative approach. Public Health Association of BC Conference.
  • Chakraborti, M., Kong, P., Miller, A. R., McKellin, W., & Collet, J. P. (October 22–24, 2017). Development of social networks among families attending physical activity programs. CAPHC Annual Conference.
  • Chakraborti, M., McKellin, W., Miller, A. R., & Collet, J. P. (November 17–18, 2016). Physical activity programs for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: Strengthening families through social networks. Health and Wellbeing Conference, Vancouver, BC.
  • Gitimoghaddam, M., McKellin, W., Miller, A. R., Weiss, J., Majnemer, A., Mâsse, L. C., Symington, V., & Collet, J. P. (November 17–18, 2016). Physical activity programs for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Health and Wellbeing Conference, Vancouver, BC.
  • Gitimoghaddam, M., McKellin, W., Weiss, J., Miller, A. R., Majnemer, A., Symington, V., Wishart, R. L., Mâsse, L. C., & Collet, J. P. (September 19–21, 2015). Evaluation of a child-centred movement therapy program. Brain Development Conference, Ottawa, ON.
  • Gitimoghaddam, M., Collet, J. P., Miller, A. R., Majnemer, A., Weiss, J., McKellin, W., & Mâsse, L. C. (October 22–24, 2014). Activity-based interventions: Toward a conceptual framework. Health and Wellbeing Conference, Vancouver, BC.
  • Collet, J. P., Wishart, R. L., Miller, A. R., Gitimoghaddam, M., Symington, V., Mâsse, L. C., & McKellin, W. (January 30–February 1, 2014). Learning and developing with disabilities: An adaptive child-centred program. The Early Years Conference, Vancouver, BC.