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Child Enjoyment and Parental Satisfaction with Autistic Children’s Participation in Active and Sedentary Activity Configurations

Author

Listed:
  • Danielle Salters

    (Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada)

  • Samiya Sheiknur

    (Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada)

  • Sara M. Scharoun Benson

    (Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada)

Abstract

This research used proxy reports and questionnaire-based data to explore characteristics related to participation among autistic children. The research aimed to explore child enjoyment and parental satisfaction in different activity configurations, including active and sedentary pursuits and activities in which children participate alone or in groups. Parents/guardians ( n = 100) of autistic children aged 4–15 years completed questionnaire-based assessments of their autistic child’s motor skills, social skills, and characteristics of participation. Regression analyses were completed to elucidate the factors that may contribute to a child’s enjoyment of and parental satisfaction with the child’s participation in the different activity configurations. A strong positive correlation was found between motor and social skills, and for motor and social skills in concert with the different activity configurations. Regression analyses found that the social skills of autistic children were related to participation in most of the activity configurations for both the child’s enjoyment and parental satisfaction in participation. Other results indicated that lower social skills were more strongly related to child enjoyment and parental satisfaction, and that the highest enjoyment and satisfaction scores were found for the sedentary and individual activities. These results reinforce the impact of social skills on participation in various activities, and the need for early intervention to promote skill development among autistic children.

Suggested Citation

  • Danielle Salters & Samiya Sheiknur & Sara M. Scharoun Benson, 2025. "Child Enjoyment and Parental Satisfaction with Autistic Children’s Participation in Active and Sedentary Activity Configurations," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jdisab:v:5:y:2025:i:1:p:25-:d:1602514
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ghaidaa Khalifa & Peter Rosenbaum & Kathy Georgiades & Eric Duku & Briano Di Rezze, 2020. "Exploring the Participation Patterns and Impact of Environment in Preschool Children with ASD," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Rees, Daniel I. & Lopez, Elizabeth & Averett, Susan L. & Argys, Laura M., 2008. "Birth order and participation in school sports and other extracurricular activities," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 354-362, June.
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