Stakeholders’ perspectives on social participation in preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine (a) the essential components of social participation for preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using stakeholders’ perspectives and (b) the facilitators and barriers experienced in promoting social participation. Methods: A mixed-methods, web-based survey utilizing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health – Child and Youth version (ICF-CY) taxonomy was circulated across Canada through purposeful snowball sampling. Results: Frequency analysis of the combined responses of 74 stakeholders revealed the most essential components of social participation were: (a) behavior management, (b) social interactions, and (c) various types of play. Further, content analysis revealed that stakeholders used intrinsic motivation strategies and contingency management to facilitate social participation. Conclusion: Stakeholders reported that the purpose of social participation was to engage the child in fun, enjoyable social activities that developed relationships between the child and peers and created a sense of belonging in the community.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• disability and health – child and youth version
• international classification of functioning
• preschool children
• social participation
• stakeholders’ perspectives

Acknowledgments

The study authors thank all the families, clinicians and educators who participated in the survey. The authors also acknowledge the members of the study team, Olivia Conlon and Shayla Richards, for their assistance with the recruitment and administration of this study.

Funding

Funding for the study was provided graciously by the Autism Society of Edmonton Area and Autism Research Centre Graduate Student Pilot Grant. Tamara Germani is supported by the Women & Children’s Research Institute Graduate Studentship, Alberta Innovates-Health Solutions Clinician Fellowship and Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program Career Enhancement Program Award. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum is supported by the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation Chair in Autism Research. Sandy Hodgetts is supported by an Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research (ACCFCR) Early Career Transition award.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for the study was provided graciously by the Autism Society of Edmonton Area and Autism Research Centre Graduate Student Pilot Grant. Tamara Germani is supported by the Women & Children’s Research Institute Graduate Studentship, Alberta Innovates-Health Solutions Clinician Fellowship and Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program Career Enhancement Program Award. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum is supported by the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation Chair in Autism Research. Sandy Hodgetts is supported by an Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research (ACCFCR) Early Career Transition award.