Perceptions of a Virtual Health Promotion Program for Children on the Autism Spectrum and their Primary Caregiver: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Over the past decade the popularity of virtual health promotion programs has grown substantially. The primary objective was to explore perceptions of a virtual health promotion grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) called PLANE (Physical Literacy and Nutrition Education). Major findings suggest SCT constructs were reflected in caregiver responses and worked in synergy with one another offering intrinsic and extrinsic opportunities to promote positive outcomes. Findings could be used to stimulate the ongoing need to promote a variety of accessible ways to engage in health programming programs for families of autistic children.

Keywords:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• health
• parent
• physical activity
• social cognitive theory

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all of the research participants who participated in PLANE.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund under [Grant G-2004-146232].