Quality of life, Participation and Environment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Summary: Our research project focused on the quality of life (QoL), participation and environment of children living in Iceland. We start with a introduction about the topic and the measures used and then present our findings.... [ view full abstract ]

Summary:
Our research project focused on the quality of life (QoL), participation and environment of children living in Iceland. We start with a introduction about the topic and the measures used and then present our findings. Discussions focus on implications for practice.

Timetable:
• Introduction (chair): 5 minutes
• Brief overview over the project (convenor): 10 minutes
• QoL of children with ASD: 20 minutes
• School participation and environment of children with ASD: 20 minutes
• Community participation and environment of children with ASD: 20 minutes
• Discussions - implications for practice: 15 minutes

Background:
Few studies have focused on the views of children with ASD and their participation in different environments has not been thoroughly explored.

Method:
We used a cross-sectional comparative design. Data was collected with the self- and proxy-reported versions of the KIDSCREEN-27 and the parent-report PEM-CY. Reports of about 100 children with ASD, 240 controls and their parents’ were included in the analyses.

Results:
Compared with controls, children with ASD had lower means on all QoL dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-27. Parents of children with ASD evaluated their children’s QoL lower than did parents of controls. Overall, children with ASD reported better QoL than did their parents. Significant differences between children with and without ASD were found for the PEM-CY participation and environment summary scores.

Conclusion:
It is important to seek the viewpoints of both children and their parents.

Application to Practice:
In order to promote participation and QoL attention should be given to environmental challenges.