Background/Purpose Diverse and regular participation in activities can promote social engagement and health in youths with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency and regularity of participation in activities among youths with ASD.
Method Participants included 71 youths with ASD (Mage=12.40; 23% female). We measured frequency and regularity of activities using the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). We also measured additional demographics and covariates, including accelerometer physical activity (MVPA).
Analysis/Results Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics of frequency and regularity of activities, Pearson correlations, and ANOVA. Youths with ASD participated on average in 26.21 (6.79) activities over four months with an average regularity of 2.70 (0.75), indicating participation of once per month. Common activities included watching TV/movies (95.3%), playing computer/video games (93.3%), playing with things/toys (91%), and doing chores (87.2%). These activities had regular participation of multiple times per week. Among physical activities, only swimming (89.7%), walking/hiking (77.5%), playing on equipment (75.3%), and individual PA (58.4%) were done by more than half of the sample. However, regular participation was only 1-2 times per month. We found statistically significant correlations and differences between activity regularity and age, and MVPA and age (r≥|.31|; F≥7.7; p<.05).
Conclusions While MVPA was relatively high, based on accelerometry, the reported regularity of participation in physical activities was very low. Most youths with ASD participated in predominately sedentary activities, in particular screen-time activities. Future research and interventions should promote both diverse and regular participation of activities to support health outcomes and social engagement.
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