Kalmbach Dorothy, Wood Wendy, Peters B Caitlin
Department of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Departments of Animal Sciences and Occupational Therapy, Temple Grandin Equine Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Occup Ther Health Care. 2020 Jul;34(3):230-252. doi: 10.1080/07380577.2020.1751903. Epub 2020 Apr 17.
This paper reports on the qualitative phase of a mixed methods study of occupational therapy in an equine environment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study's quantitative phase found that this intervention improved the occupational performance, social motivation, social communication, and self-regulation of some children with ASD. The study's qualitative phase, reported herein, subsequently aimed to describe parental perspectives on children's experiences of the intervention and its influences on everyday life. Using a qualitative descriptive research approach, five parents participated in two rounds of semi-structured interviews. Interview data were analyzed using theoretical thematic analysis. Although parents expressed some concerns about the intervention, overall they found the intervention to be appropriate and acceptable. Next research steps include creation of a manual for the intervention and assessment of feasibility across a broader range of practice sites, occupational therapists, children with ASD, and their parents.
本文报告了一项针对自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童在马环境中进行职业治疗的混合方法研究的定性阶段。该研究的定量阶段发现，这种干预改善了一些ASD儿童的职业表现、社交动机、社交沟通和自我调节能力。本文所报告的该研究的定性阶段，随后旨在描述家长对孩子干预体验及其对日常生活影响的看法。采用定性描述性研究方法，五位家长参与了两轮半结构化访谈。访谈数据采用理论主题分析法进行分析。尽管家长们对干预措施表达了一些担忧，但总体而言，他们认为该干预措施是合适且可接受的。下一步的研究包括编写干预手册，并在更广泛的实践场所、职业治疗师、ASD儿童及其家长中评估可行性。
