"There's nothing here": Perspectives from rural parents promoting safe active recreation for children living with autism spectrum disorders.
Rural parents need recreation staff trained in autism-specific safety plans so kids can play outside without elopement or injury.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team talked with rural parents who have autistic kids.
Parents shared how they try to keep their children safe during outdoor play.
The study used long interviews to learn what safety tools parents want from recreation staff.
What they found
Parents said their kids wander, climb, or bolt toward roads and water.
They feel most recreation leaders lack autism safety training.
Parents create their own rules, like staying within arm’s reach or skipping events.
How this fits with other research
Young et al. (2019) showed rural areas already lack autism services; this paper zooms in on one gap—safe play spaces.
Houseworth et al. (2018) said services “don’t join up”; parents here echo that recreation options feel just as broken.
Garrick et al. (2022) found ER staff also miss autism cues; the same training wish pops up in parks and hospitals.
Why it matters
You can ask local recreation programs to add a short autism safety module.
Teach staff to use clear stop rules, visual boundaries, and head-count checks.
One trained coach can turn “nothing here” into a safe place families trust.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families experience challenges and barriers at multiple levels that influence their activity participation. The purpose of this study was to develop understanding about factors influencing how families can promote safe, active recreation for their children 3-12 years living with ASD across rural settings and how supports for these families can be enhanced. METHODS: This qualitative study used an interpretive descriptive approach. Twelve in-depth, semi-structured interviews with parents of children with ASD were conducted. Data was analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Four main themes emerged: 1) ASD specific child vulnerabilities impeding safe recreation. 2) Importance of safe outdoor spaces in rural settings for children with ASD. 3) Diverse parent strategies to address risks and needs. 4) Perceived needs for training of recreation providers. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight family-centred priority issues including parental safety concerns related to elopement and risk of injury linked to environmental and outdoor hazards prominent in rural settings. Autism awareness and recreational training is needed and could incorporate collaborative development of child specific safety plans to foster inclusive opportunities. Program planners can use this information to encourage policy making to aid families' safe activity participation.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2021 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2021.103998