Parental decision making process and perceptions of outdoor pursuit facilitators for their child with disabilities

Abstract

In striving to reach the World Health Organization’s definition of health, physical activity (PA) that influences the mental and social aspects of health should be employed. One of the most efficient ways we can achieve all of this at once is through outdoor pursuits (OP). When we look at children with disabilities, we find that they engage in outdoor activities less than their typically developing peers. Because parents and guardians are the primary decision-makers for their child with disabilities, it is prudent to understand what they see as facilitators to their child’s active participation in OP, and how they go about making the decision to include their child in OP. Employing the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study utilized semi structured interviews with 11 parents of children with disabilities to gain insight as to what these parents viewed as facilitators to their child's participation in OPs, and what fuels their decision-making process in this matter. Results indicated 3 major themes: a) parents perceive participation in OP as a means to promote growth in all domains for the CWD, b) there is a strong value of PA within the family and the community the family is a part of, and c) parent’s positive perceptions of OP adapted programming facilitated child’s involvement in OP.