Salar S, Haegele J A, Daneshmandi H. Iranian Parents’ Perceptions on Physical Activity for Their Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic. PTJ 2022; 12 (1) :23-30
URL:
http://ptj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-511-en.html
1- Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical Education, University of Guiln, Rasht, Iran.
2- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Abstract: (2430 Views)
Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic is a remarkable health crisis that enforced most people to stay at home and quarantine for a period of time and seems to be having negative impacts on physical activity and mental health worldwide. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a deficit in social interaction characteristics, relationships, and stereotyped behaviors. This study examined Iranian parents’ perceptions of physical activity for their children with ASD during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: In this study, an explanatory qualitative methodology was used and data were collected via semi-structured phone interviews. The samples included 40 Iranian parents (aged 25-50 years) who had children with ASD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 Edition (DSM-5) criteria (aged 7-12 years).
Results: The results showed that the parents observed their children’s physical activity to decrease greatly than before the pandemic. Parents experienced weight gain, increased anxiety, increased stereotypic behaviors, and decreased orderliness, communicative interactions, and social skills. The parents stated that, when their children were more active before the COVID-19 pandemic, they were more cheerful, more adaptable, and communicated more verbally. Parents believed that physical activities have positive effects on the development of their children’s physical health and behavior. They also reported some barriers to their children’s participation in physical activity.
Conclusion: Participating in daily physical activity and support from parents were consequential factors in the promotion of their physical and behavioral health and the development of their independent performance and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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● This research utilized qualitative methodologies through semi-structured phone interviews to understand the experiences, attitudes, and feelings of parents using open ended questions.
● The results of this study showed the physical activity levels in children with autism spectrum disorder has substantially decreased compared to before the COVID-19.
● Most of the parents reported weight gain, increased anxiety, decreased orderliness, effective communication, and social skill.
Plain Language Summary
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 along with home quarantine which has created many challenges for children with ASD and their parents, the researchers decided to pursue research to explore the perception of Iranian parents about their child’s physical activity during the COVID19 pandemic. Interviews are used to achieve insights into a person’s experiences, attitudes, and desires among 40 parents who had children with autism spectrum disorder. Based on the findings of this study, following the COVID19 pandemic, the levels of physical activity in children with ASD have decreased. Parents also observed weight gain, increased anxiety, decreased orderliness and increase stereotypic movements in their children. Parents and educators can play an important role in this physical activity promotion. Iranian parents express a clear need for regular physical activity participation for their children with ASD to help cope with challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and home quarantine orders.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
General Received: 2021/07/14 | Accepted: 2021/12/28 | Published: 2022/01/1