Let us tell you how to train us! experiences of children and youth with the Wheelchair Skills Training Program and their preferences for training delivery: a descriptive qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: The Wheelchair Skills Training Program (WSTP) has demonstrated statistical and clinical effectiveness in improving manual wheelchair skills among pediatric manual wheelchair users (PMWUs). However, uptake of this program remains limited in pediatric rehabilitation settings, partly due to clinicians' uncertainties about its suitability for playful and developmentally appropriate training. Despite children's and youths' right to engage in discussions regarding their rehabilitation, PMWUs' lived experiences receiving the WSTP have not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to explore PMWUs' experiences with and preferences regarding the WSTP to inform the delivery of this program in pediatric rehabilitation. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with a maximum variation sample of PMWUs recruited from a randomized controlled trial evaluating the WSTP in pediatrics. Online or in-person semi-structured interviews, informed by the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist for rehabilitation intervention reporting, explored experiences with and preferences regarding WSTP delivery. Interview procedures were individualized using a toolkit of strategies to support expression and engagement. The framework method guided deductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three overarching themes emerged from the 32 PMWUs': 1) It's true that not many kids know how to use their wheelchair properly, so I think training is really a good thing, highlighted the perceived value of the WSTP for improving mobility, confidence, risk awareness, autonomy, and participation; 2) The trainer lets you practice everything that you want, reflected how trainers can facilitate mobility progress and engagement through collaborative goal-setting, the use of learning strategies, and the integration of skill practice into enjoyable and appropriately challenging activities; and 3) It depends on the person. Every child, every person with a disability or mobility aid is different. We're not all the same, emphasized the need to tailor training sessions to individual needs and preferences. CONCLUSION: PMWUs' positive experiences with the WSTP revealed that the program aligns with their training preferences and supports mobility progress, suggesting its suitability in pediatric rehabilitation settings.