Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experiences Participating in Community Physical Activity by Families with a Child on the Autism Spectrum: a Phenomenological Inquiry

  • ORIGINAL PAPER
  • Published:
Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

Families with a child on the autism spectrum face challenges to participating in physical activity in the community. Yet, little research has examined these families’ experiences and perspectives on such participation.

Methods

This phenomenological study used semistructured interviews to collect data from 13 families with a child on the autism spectrum to understand their experiences as a family attempting to access physical activity opportunities.

Results

Families discussed four overall themes related to participating in physical activity in the community: (1) safety outside the home, (2) lack of acceptance, (3) behavior affecting the family participation, (4) and limited opportunity for activity.

Conclusions

Evidence suggests that physical activity can provide tremendous opportunities to build better connections within the community and improve quality of life, but the barriers discussed by parents in the present study suggest that families and their children on the autism spectrum might not yet have the same opportunities for access or support.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ayvazoglu, N. R., Kozub, F. M., Butera, G., & Murray, M. J. (2015). Determinants and challenges in physical activity participation in families with children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders from a family systems perspective. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 47(C), 93–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2015.08.015.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bevan, M. T. (2014). A method of phenomenological interviewing. Qualitative Health Research, 24(1), 136–144. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732313519710.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blagrave, J. (2017). Experiences of children with ASDs in adapted physical education. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 10(1), 17–27. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2017.003

  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brei, N. G., Schwarz, G. N., & Klein-Tasman, B. P. (2015). Predictors of parenting stress in children referred for an autism spectrum disorder diagnostic evaluation. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 27, 617–635. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-015-9439-z

  • Bremer, E., Crozier, M., & Lloyd, M. (2016). A systematic review of the behavioural outcomes following exercise interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361315616002.

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1977). Toward an experimental ecology of human development. American Psychologist, 32(7), 513–531. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.32.7.513

  • Buchanan, A. M., Miedema, B., & Frey, G. C. (2017). Parents’ perspectives of physical activity in their adult children with autism spectrum disorder: a social-ecological approach. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 34(4), 401–420. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2016-0099.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Physical activity and health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/health/index.html

  • Cheak–Zamora, N. C., Teti, M., & First, J. (2015). ‘Transitions are scary for our kids, and they're scary for us’: family member and youth perspectives on the challenges of transitioning to adulthood with autism. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 28(6), 548–560 https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colombo–Dougovito, A. M. (2017). A mixed–methods analysis of a fundamental motor skill intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA. https://doi.org/10.18130/V3HW66.

  • Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention. (2010). Prevention of drowning. Pediatrics, 126(1), e253–e262. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-1265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dillenburger, K., McKerr, L., Jordan, J. A., & Keenan, M. (2016). Staff training in autism: the one–eyed wo/man. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 13(7), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13070716.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dillon, S. R., Adams, D., Goudy, L., Bittner, M., & McNamara, S. (2017). Evaluating exercise as evidence–based practice for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Frontiers in Public Health, 4(1), 9–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2016.00290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fombonne, E. (2009). A wrinkle in time: from early signs to a diagnosis of autism. Journal of the American Academy of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(5), 463–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franke, K. B., Hills, K., Huebner, E. S., & Flory, K. (2018). Life Satisfaction in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3822-4

  • Fulceri, F., Grossi, E., Contaldo, A., Narzisi, A., Apicella, F., Parrini, I., Raffaella,T., Calderoni, S. & Muratori, F. (2018). Motor skills as moderators of core symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders: preliminary data from an exploratory analysis with Artificial Neural Networks. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02683

  • Galpin, J., Varratt, P., Ashcroft, E., Greathead, S., Kenny, L., & Pellicano, E. (2017). The dots just don't join up': understanding the support needs of families of children on the autism spectrum. Autism. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361316687989.

  • Giallo, R., Wood, C. E., Jellett, R., & Porter, R. (2011). Fatigue, wellbeing and parental self-efficacy in mothers of children with an autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 17, 465–482. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361311416830.

  • Governor’s Budget Summary. (2016). Demographic outlook. Retrieved from http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/2015-16/pdf/BudgetSummary/DemographicInformation.pdf.

  • Haegele, J. A., Lee, J., & Chang, S. H. (2017). Physical activity of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2016.1232375.

  • Healy, S., Nacario, A., Braithwaite, R. E., & Hopper, C. (2018). The effect of physical activity interventions on youth with autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis. Autism Research, 4(2), 129–116. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1955.

  • Hilton, C. L., Fitzgerald, R. T., Jackson, K. M., Maxim, R. A., Bosworth, C. C., Shattuck, P. T., & Constantino, J. N. (2010). Brief report: Under–representation of African-Americans in autism genetic research: a rationale for inclusion of subjects representing diverse family structures. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40, 633–639.

  • Jones, R. A., Downing, K., Rinehart, N. J., Barnett, L. M., May, T., McGillivray, J. A., et al. (2017). Physical activity, sedentary behavior and their correlates in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review. PLoS One, 12(2), e0172482. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0172482.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Joseph, R. P., Daniel, C. L., Thind, H., Benitez, T. J., & Pekmezi, D. (2014). Applying psychological theories to promote long-term maintenance of health behaviors. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827614554594.

  • Krogh, K. S., & Lindsay, P. H. (1999). Including people with disabilities in research: implications for the field of augmentative and alternative communication. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 15, 222–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434619912331278765.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, R., Koegel, L. K., Ashbaugh, K., Regester, A., Ence, W., & Smith, W. (2010). Physical exercise and individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4(4), 565–576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2010.01.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, G. K., Lopata, C., Volker, M. A., Thomeer, M. L., Nida, R. E., Toomey, J. A., et al. (2009). Health–related quality of life of parents of children with high–functioning autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 24, 227–239. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357609347371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis–Beck, M., Bryman, A. E., & Liao, T. F. (2003). The Sage encyclopedia of social science research methods. Thousand Oaks: CA. Sage Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Little, L. M., Ausderau, K., Sideris, J., & Baranek, G. T. (2015). Activity participation and sensory features among children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(9), 2981–2990. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2460-3.

  • Lyall, K., Croen, L., Daniels, J., Fallin, M. D., Ladd–Acosta, C., Lee, B. K., et al. (2017). The changing epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders. Annual Review of Public Health, 38, 81–102. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031816-044318.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald, M., Esposito, P., & Ulrich, D. (2011). The physical activity patterns of children with autism. BMC Research Notes, 4(1), 422. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-4-422.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald, M., Lord, C., & Ulrich, D. (2013). The relationship of motor skills and social communicative skills in school–aged children with autism spectrum disorder. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 30, 271–282. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.30.3.271.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marggraff, A., & Constantino, J. N. (2018). Physical and Psychosocial Impact of a University–Based, Volunteer Student–Led Running Program for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(12), 974–977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2018.06.028

  • Matson, J., & Kozlowski, A. M. (2011). The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 418–425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2010.06.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, O. L., Castro–Schilo, L., & Aguilar–Gaxiola, S. (2014). Determinants of mental health and self–rated health: a model of socioeconomic status, neighborhood safety, and physical activity. American Journal of Public Health, 104(9), 1734–1741. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.302003.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M., Huberman, A., & Saldana, J. (2013). Qualitative data analysis: a methods sourcebook. Thousand Oaks: CA. Sage Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, H. L., Ragozzino, M. E., Cook, E. H., Sweeney, J. A., & Mosconi, M. W. (2015). Cognitive set shifting deficits and their relationship to repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(3), 805–815. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2244-1.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Must, A., Phillips, S., Curtin, C., & Bandini, L. G. (2015). Barriers to physical activity in children with autism spectrum disorders: relationship to physical activity and screen time. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 12(4), 529–534. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2013-0271.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Professional Development Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder. (2015). What are evidence–based practices? Retrieved from http://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/evidence-based-practices.

  • Neumeier, W. H., Grosso, C., & Rimmer, J. H. (2017). Obesity and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: a research to policy brief. Retrieved from: http://rrtcadd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017_0923_obesity_brief.pdf

  • Nichols, C., Block, M. E., Bishop, J. C., & McIntire, B. (2018). Physical activity in young adults with autism spectrum disorder: parental perceptions of barriers and facilitators. Autism, 165(2), 136236131881022–136236131881010. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318810221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Obrusnikova, I., & Miccinello, D. L. (2012). Parent perceptions of factors influencing after–school physical activity of children with autism spectrum disorders. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 29, 63–80. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.29.1.63.

  • Pan, C.–Y., & Frey, G. C. (2005). Identifying physical activity determinants in youth with autistic spectrum disorders. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2, 412–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Public Policy Institute of California. (2017). Just the facts poverty in California. Retrieved from http://www.ppic.org/main/publication_show.asp?i=261

  • Schaaf, R. C., Toth–Cohen, S., Johnson, S. L., Outten, G., & Benevides, T. W. (2011). The everyday routines of families of children with autism: examining the impact of sensory processing difficulties on the family. Autism, 15(3), 373–389. https://doi.org/10.1177/136236131038650.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simonoff, E., Pickles, A., Charman, T., Chandler, S., Loucas, T., & Baird, G. (2008). Psychiatric disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders: prevalence, comorbidity, and associated factors in a population–derived sample. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(8), 921–929. https://doi.org/10.1097/CHI.0b013e318179964f.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative phenomenological analysis: theory, method and research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sowa, M., & Meulenbroek, R. (2011). Effects of physical exercise on autism spectrum disorders: a meta–analysis. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(1), 46–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2011.09.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solish, A., Perry, A., & Minnes, P. (2010). Participation of children with and without disabilities in social, recreational and leisure activities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23(3), 226–236. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3148.2009.00525.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparkes & Smith. (2014). Qualitative research methods in sport. In Exercise and health: from process to product. London: Taylor and Francis Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stacey, T.-L., Froude, E. H., Trollor, J., & Foley, K.-R. (2018). Leisure participation and satisfaction in autistic adults and neurotypical adults. Autism, 116(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318791275.

  • Stanish, H., Curtin, C., Must, A., Phillips, S., Maslin, M., & Bandini, L. (2015). Enjoyment, barriers, and beliefs about physical activity in adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 32(4), 302–317. https://doi.org/10.1123/APAQ.2015-0038.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stanish, H. I., Curtin, C., Must, A., Phillips, S., Maslin, M., & Bandini, L. G. (2017). Physical activity levels, frequency, and type among adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(3), 785–794. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-3001-4.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Taliaferro, A. R., & Hammond, L. (2016). “I don’t have time”: barriers and facilitators to physical activity for adults with intellectual disabilities. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 33(2), 113–133. https://doi.org/10.1123/APAQ.2015-0050

  • Thomas, K. C., Ellis, A. R., McLaurin, C., Daniels, J., & Morrissey, J. P. (2007). Access to care for autism–related services. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 37, 1902–1912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Travers, B. G., Bigler, E. D., Duffield, T. C., Prigge, M. D., Froehlich, A. L., Lange, N., Alexander, A., & Lainhart, J. E. (2016). Longitudinal development of manual motor ability in autism spectrum disorder from childhood to mid–adulthood relates to adaptive daily living skills. Developmental Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.12401.

  • Tobin, M. C., Drager, K. D., & Richardson, L. F. (2014). A systematic review of social participation for adults with autism spectrum disorders: support, social functioning, and quality of life. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8(3), 214–229. 

  • Ullrich–French, S., McDonough, M. H., & Smith, A. L. (2012). Social connection and psychological outcomes in a physical activity–based youth development setting. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 83(3), 431–441. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2012.10599878.

  • Van Manen, M. (1990). Researching lived experience: human science for an action sensitive pedagogy. Albany, N.Y.: State University of New York Press.

  • Vella, S. A., Cliff, D. P., Magee, C. A., & Okely, A. D. (2014). Sports participation and parent-reported health-related quality of life in children: longitudinal associations. The Journal of Pediatrics, 164(6), 1469–1474. 

  • Williams, D. (2015). Challenging behaviors and task transitions in autism: translating clinical phenomenology and basic behavioral process. In F. D. DiGennaro Reed & D. D. Reed (Eds.), Autism service delivery (pp. 113–150). New York: NY. Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. California State University Chico, Chico, CA, USA

    A. Josephine Blagrave

  2. University of North Texas, Denton, USA

    Andrew M. Colombo-Dougovito

Authors
  1. A. Josephine Blagrave
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andrew M. Colombo-Dougovito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

AJB led the design and execution of the present study, as well as performed the initial data analysis; she collaborated in writing the paper and editing the final manuscript. AMCD collaborated in the design and analysis of the study; he collaborated in the writing of the paper and editing the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Josephine Blagrave.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethics Statement

Chico, California State University provided the IRB approval for the study; this study has been performed in accordance with these ethical standards. All participants gave their informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Blagrave, A.J., Colombo-Dougovito, A.M. Experiences Participating in Community Physical Activity by Families with a Child on the Autism Spectrum: a Phenomenological Inquiry. Adv Neurodev Disord 3, 72–84 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-018-0094-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-018-0094-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation