Loading...
Parents’ perspectives on managing risk in play for children with developmental disabilities
Stillianesis, Samantha Spencer, Grace Villeneuve, Michelle Sterman, Julia Bundy, Anita Wyver, Shirley Tranter, Paul Naughton, Geraldine Ragen, Jo Beetham, Kassia S.
Stillianesis, Samantha
Spencer, Grace
Villeneuve, Michelle
Sterman, Julia
Bundy, Anita
Wyver, Shirley
Tranter, Paul
Naughton, Geraldine
Ragen, Jo
Beetham, Kassia S.
Abstract
Parents are often concerned about managing risks for their children, particularly in the context of disability. This paper reports qualitative findings from an intervention study and examines how parents of children with developmental disabilities (mainly autism) manage risks during play. Interviews (n = 17) highlighted parents’ fears about their child’s safety, which were often exacerbated by concerns about the child’s (lack of) cognitive and intellectual capabilities to ‘appropriately’ negotiate harms. Outdoor play and play that involved other children were reported as particularly challenging. In these contexts, parents described how they would intervene and redirect play activities to avoid any emergent physical, emotional and social harms. The social aspects of risk and disability gave way to adult-mediated and controlled forms of play. We conclude by considering opportunities to support the full inclusion of children with disabilities and their rights to play.
Keywords
risk-taking, play, childhood, disability, children’s rights, inclusion
Date
2022
Type
Journal article
Journal
Disability and Society
Book
Volume
37
Issue
8
Page Range
1272-1292
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as green open access
License
File Access
Open
Controlled
Controlled