Golos A, Ben-Zur H, Chapani SI. Participation in preschool activities of children with autistic spectrum disorder and comparison to typically developing children.
RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2022;
127:104252. [PMID:
35569171 DOI:
10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104252]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Participation is essential to children's development and is a major focus of intervention. This study aimed to describe the participation patterns of children with ASD, in comparison to typically developing (TD) children.
METHODS
70 preschoolers participated: 33 children with ASD, attending non-inclusive-education settings; and 37 TD children, attending mainstream educational settings. Two occupational therapists assessed their participation through structured observations in self-care activities, play, learning, and social participation areas; demographic and environmental questionnaires were also completed.
RESULTS
In the ASD group, frequency of participation was found to be significantly higher in ADL and learning than in other areas; level of performance was found to be significantly lower in social participation than in other areas. The TD group scored significantly higher than did the ASD group in most areas and scales. Initial findings tentatively showed that a structured educational environment for children with ASD may increase participation frequency.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings are consistent with recognized disabilities in play and social participation among children with ASD, and their limitations in participation, compared to their TD peers in most areas. Further studies are needed to evaluate additional psychometric properties of the different scales, and the impact of educational environments on participation.
Collapse