Social Inclusion for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Case Study

Social participation is a vital aspect of childhood, especially for the development of social-emotional skills. Many childhood social interactions take place at play areas and other recreational or leisure facilities, such as aquariums, zoos, amusement parks, etc. Children with disabilities, especially children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other social disorders, often face social exclusion at such locations due to physical and societal barriers. Although much research has been conducted and regulations are in place that address most physical considerations at play areas, guidelines that facilitate social inclusion for children with ASD and other social disorders are currently lacking. We conducted a case study to investigate the social-emotional experience of a child with ASD based on our observations and the perceptions of his caregiver. The findings suggest that play area design can both facilitate and create barriers to social inclusion. We employed the results and our observations to postulate usable guidelines for the stakeholders and designers of play areas and to suggest practical applications for occupational therapists and avenues for future research.