This investigation examined whether the mode of locomotion matters in how 8-, 10-, 12-, and 14-year-old children (N = 91) judge dynamic affordances in a complex perception-action task with significant safety risks. The primarily European American children in the sample came from the area of Iowa City, Iowa and were balanced for gender. The same…

Children tend to make more last-minute locomotor adjustments than adults when avoiding stationary obstacles. The purpose of this study was to compare avoidance behaviors of middle-aged children (10-12 years old) with young adults during a head-on collision course with an approaching virtual pedestrian. Participants were immersed in a virtual…

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are known to experience emotional hypo/hypersensitivity, aside from exhibiting restricted and repetitive behaviors. These behaviors prevent them from perceiving and simultaneously responding to environmental stimuli, meaning that they may not notice potential hazards. Children with ASD are in the risk…

This study aims to develop a valid and reliable assessment tool for the assessment of safety skills of individuals with intellectual disabilities, examine the effectiveness of the Safety Skills Instruction Program (SSIP) in teaching safety skills to these individuals, determine the preservation of skills after instruction by observation, and…

Statement of Purpose: Pediatric firearm access is a significant risk factor for unintentional injury and suicide. This study investigated parents' perspectives on an adapted firearm safety program, "S.A.F.E. Firearm," to ensure acceptability and optimize effectiveness prior to the launch of an upcoming hybrid effectiveness-implementation…

While firearm-related injuries are the leading cause of death among US children between 1-18, and account for nearly half of suicides among young people, public health experts continue to struggle in identifying efficacious mechanisms to reduce and prevent firearm access for children. Currently 4.8 million children live in a home with a loaded and…