Exploring the Social Participation of Children & Adolescents with Severe Developmental Disabilities

The goal of this study was to examine the social participation of children and adolescents with severe Developmental Disabilities (DD). Those with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) were reported to participate in significantly fewer activities and much less frequently than typically developing peers.

Those with ID and ASD were reported to have fewer friends and poorer quality of friendships. In addition, those with ASD participated even less frequently in some activities and had fewer friends. In terms of barriers to participation for those with DD, reasons relating to the child and not allowed or invited were frequently reported. In contrast, lack of availability and logistical reasons were not reported as a prominent barrier. A combination of child, family, and community factors significantly accounted for 30% of the variance in participation. Specifically, child’s Adaptive Behaviour, Parental Socialization, and Type of School Program attended predicted activity participation.