Leisure Activity Enjoyment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Overview

Journal J Autism Dev Disord

Publisher Springer

Date 2015 Jul 27

PMID 26210514

Citations 16

Authors

Megan Eversole

Diane M Collins

Amol Karmarkar

Lisa Colton

Jill Phillips Quinn

Rita Karsbaek

Jessica Reinken Johnson

Nicolle Patricia Callier

Claudia L Hilton

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Enjoyment is a fundamental component of activity participation. This study compared leisure activity enjoyment experienced by typically developing children (TD; n = 64) and those with autism spectrum disorders (ASD; n = 67) from age 6 to 13. The TD children enjoyed formal and physical activities significantly more than the children with ASD. Symptom severity was negatively related to enjoyment of overall, formal, physical and social activities. Older children with ASD enjoyed overall, informal, recreational, and self-improvement activities significantly less than younger children, but no differences were seen across TD age groups. Children with ASD enjoyed swimming significantly more than TD children. Understanding patterns of activity enjoyment is useful for being better able to address a child's motivation to participate in various life activities.

Citing Articles

Improving water competency among children on the autism spectrum: the AquOTic randomized controlled trial.

Kemp E, Nikahd M, Howard M, Darragh A, Crasta J Front Pediatr. 2024; 12:1473328.

PMID: 39435387 PMC: 11491375. DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1473328.

Extracurricular Activity Participation Among Autistic Children and Adolescents: Buffer for Internalizing Conditions and Foundation for Friendship?.

Pappagianopoulos J, Rouch E, Mazurek M J Autism Dev Disord. 2023; 54(12):4444-4455.

PMID: 37898581 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06158-5.

Virtual reality as a telerehabilitation strategy for people with autism spectrum disorder during the COVID-19 quarantine scenario: physical activity, motor performance and enjoyment.

Almeida A, Silva T, Moraes I, Menezes L, Dias E, Araujo L Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2023; 19(5):2046-2056.

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Environmental Correlates of Physical Activity and Screen-Time in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Seven-Country Observational Study.

Haegele J, Sun F, Li C, Ng K, Lee J, Chee Ang S J Autism Dev Disord. 2023; 54(5):1740-1748.

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Swimming Lessons for Children With Autism: Parent and Teacher Experiences.

Carter B, Koch L OTJR (Thorofare N J). 2022; 43(2):245-254.

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