Integrating Therapy Dog Teams in a Physical Activity Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2012 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 37-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iva Obrusnikova ◽  
Janice M. Bibik ◽  
Albert R. Cavalier ◽  
Kyle Manley
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Therapy Dog ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Parent Perceptions of Factors Influencing After-School Physical Activity of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iva Obrusnikova ◽  
Dannielle L. Miccinello
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Parent Perceptions ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
After School ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Group Interviews

The study assessed parental perceptions of the benefits of physical activity (PA) and the factors that influence participation of children with autism spectrum disorders in PA after school. Data were collected from 103 parents using an online open-ended questionnaire and focus-group interviews. Data were analyzed using a socioecological model. Parents provided 225 responses that were coded as advantages, 106 as disadvantages, 225 as facilitators, and 250 as barriers of PA. The most frequently reported advantages were physical, followed by psychosocial, and cognitive. Disadvantages were psychosocial and physical. The most frequently reported barriers were intrapersonal, followed by interpersonal, physical, community, and institutional. Facilitators were intrapersonal, followed by physical, interpersonal, community, and institutional. Public policy factors were elicited in the interviews.

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