Perspectives of parents of individuals with autism spectrum disorders on participation in physical activity: a mixed methods study

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the perspectives of parents with individuals Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) regarding their participation in physical activity (PA). Methods: Parents [603 = 482 mothers/121 fathers] in special education centers across Türkiye participated in the study. The researchers used mixed-method-design. In the quantitative part, the researchers administered a questionnaire. In the qualitative part, they prepared semi-structured questions. They analysed the means, standard deviations and frequencies. They applied thematic analysis for the qualitative data. Results: In the 377 parents emphasized that had their children receive PA services (213 parents did individually and 44 parents did as a group). Parents emphasized that PA had a great impact on their children's behavioral skills, their children's communication skills improved a lot with PA. In addition, they stated that PA had a very positive effect on their academic skills and children's self-care skills, PA contributed a little to their children's language development. 226 parents who the reasons for not having their children receive PA services were lack of centers and facilities for PA, lack of time and financial difficulties, respectively. Conclusions: Parents recommended that PA should be made more widespread for their children with ASD, should be done in groups and sports should be emphasized.