LIVED EXPERIENCES OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN AN ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAM: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION, THE

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to develop an understanding of the lived experiences of parents whose children with autism realized a sense of belonging through participation in adaptive youth sports. This research centers on children with autism who participated in a successful sports program. Parents discussed the benefits of participation and the sense of belonging the program helped their children realize. The essence of the findings revealed the parents experienced their children’s existence as one of innocence, beauty, and challenges cloaked behind an armor of coping mechanisms and defenses. This enigmatic existence was accepted at this sports program from day one. That acceptance was key to the children realizing a sense of belonging, which gave them the ability and freedom to drop the armor, be their authentic selves, and grow socially and physically over time. This qualitative research is intended to add to the body of literature exploring the benefits realized by children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who participate in adaptive youth sports and the challenges faced by those who seek to participate. Additionally, educators, administrators, and policymakers should consider the profound impact of belonging on a child and should increase efforts to achieve an outcome of belonging as a metric of program success in the future.