Parental decision making process and perceptions of outdoor pursuit facilitators for their child with disabilities
Abstract
In striving to reach the World Health Organization’s definition of health, physical activity
(PA) that influences the mental and social aspects of health should be employed. One of
the most efficient ways we can achieve all of this at once is through outdoor pursuits
(OP). When we look at children with disabilities, we find that they engage in outdoor
activities less than their typically developing peers. Because parents and guardians are the
primary decision-makers for their child with disabilities, it is prudent to understand what
they see as facilitators to their child’s active participation in OP, and how they go about
making the decision to include their child in OP. Employing the Theory of Planned
Behavior, this study utilized semi structured interviews with 11 parents of children with
disabilities to gain insight as to what these parents viewed as facilitators to their child's
participation in OPs, and what fuels their decision-making process in this matter. Results
indicated 3 major themes: a) parents perceive participation in OP as a means to promote
growth in all domains for the CWD, b) there is a strong value of PA within the family
and the community the family is a part of, and c) parent’s positive perceptions of OP
adapted programming facilitated child’s involvement in OP.
Subject
Children with disabilities
Education -- parent participation
Outdoor recreation