An Exploration of the Experience of Parents and Carers, When Supervising Autistic Children in a Playground

<p dir="ltr">Play is essential for children’s motor, psychological and social skill development. Playgrounds serve as common and vital spaces for children to engage in play. Autistic children often encounter unique challenges in various life settings due to their characteristic deficits in social communication and restricted or repetitive behaviours and interests. However, little research has been conducted to explore autistic children’s experiences in playgrounds. This study aims to explore parents/carers’ experiences when supervising their autistic children in playgrounds and the features they desired to promote playground inclusion for their autistic children. The research questions guiding this study are as follows: 1) What are the parents/carers’ perceptions of supervising an autistic child in a playground? 2) What do parents/carers of autistic children consider to be critical features, considerations, and concerns when using playgrounds?</p><p dir="ltr">This study employed a mixed method approach, utilising an online survey and playground audits. The survey instrument was developed based on the existing “Family Recreational Needs Survey” by Stanton-Chapman and Schmidt (2019b). The survey included both close-ended and open-ended questions to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The survey was distributed online through social networking sites to recruit participants. An advertising campaign was launched on Facebook to promote the survey. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used for the quantitative data, while thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative data. The final sample included 125 Australian parents/carers, with the majority being mothers who had autistic children of preschool or primary school ages. Following the survey, three inclusive playgrounds were audited online and on-site. The auditing results were analysed based on nine criteria, including the seven principles of Universal Design (1997) and the two additional criteria arising from the survey including features supporting social interaction and features supporting sensory needs. The survey results indicated that parents/carers were dissatisfied with playground offerings and experienced stress when supervising their autistic children in playgrounds. Autistic children encountered challenges in playgrounds related to safety, socialisation and sensory needs.</p><p dir="ltr">Four themes were identified regarding critical features promoting playground inclusion for autistic children and their families. These features included safety measures, multiple play options, accessible equipment, and separate play areas. The audit results showcased some of the essential features parents/carers of autistic children valued. The findings of this study hold implications for various stakeholders, including parents/carers, local communities, playground designers, policymakers, and researchers.</p>