Daniela Bulgarelli

University of Turin, University of Aosta Valley

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Daniela Bulgarelli’s research lies at the intersection of developmental psychology, assistive technology, and inclusive play, with a particular focus on children with physical impairments such as cerebral palsy. Her major contributions center on evaluating how mainstream robotic toys can support playfulness—a child’s intrinsic disposition to engage in play—and how environmental factors influence this experience. In her most cited work (2018), she systematically assessed playfulness and environmental supportiveness in children with cerebral palsy using off-the-shelf robotic toys, revealing both the potential and the barriers to inclusive play. Her earlier studies (2016) further demonstrated that commercially available robotic toys can be effectively adapted to enable meaningful play for children with physical impairments, challenging assumptions about the need for specialized equipment. Though her citation counts are modest (8 and 4), her work has practical significance for therapists, educators, and toy designers, offering evidence-based insights into accessible play. Bulgarelli’s research underscores the right of every child to play, advancing both theoretical understanding and real-world applications for inclusive development.