This study investigates similarities and differences between parental behaviors of parents of children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a social-play based setting and a motor skill-based play setting. Various parental behaviors such as encouragement, negativity, sensitivity, detachment, and intrusiveness were examined in two distinctly different play settings. This study adds how parental behaviors of parents of children with ASD differ from parental behaviors of parents of typically developing children across distinctly different play settings. Further, to our knowledge, this study is the first study to examine parental behaviors of parents of children with ASD in a motor skill-based play setting. Thus, the results of this study could  add helpful information with respect to creating and designing ASD-related interventions that include parent involvement.

Title

An inquiry into how parents of children with autism spectrum disorder interact with their children in a motor skill-based play setting

Representative publication

MacDonald, M., Hatfield, B. & Twardzik, E.* (2017). Child behaviors of young children with autism spectrum disorder across play settings. Adapted physical activity quarterly. 34(1). 19-32. DOI: 10.1123/APAQ.2016-0028.