Children with developmental disabilities participate in more solitary, sedentary, and home-based leisure activities than active physical pursuits or community-based activities. Clinical experience suggests that children with less well-recognized developmental difficulties also have compromised leisure experiences; however, this has not been fully investigated. This study engaged 20 school-age children with developmental difficulties in a community-based circus program, designed in collaboration with occupational therapists. The program included activities such as trampolining, trapeze, and acrobatics. Semi-structured interviews with children and parents explored children's leisure experiences both at circus and more broadly. Qualitative content analysis revealed that friendships, having fun, and being physically active were highly valued aspects of leisure. The coaching style and "just right" level of challenge within programs were identified as central to children's engagement and sense of competence. Participating in a supported leisure program such as circus appeared to promote children's engagement in community leisure, at least in the short term.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	participation, leisure, developmental disabilities, child development, health, wellbeing, self-determination
Research Division:	Health Sciences
Research Group:	Health services and systems
Research Field:	Health and community services
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Public health (excl. specific population health)
Objective Field:	Disability and functional capacity
UTAS Author:	Cuskelly, M (Professor Monica Cuskelly)
ID Code:	124161
Year Published:	2018
Web of Science® Times Cited:	4
Deposited By:	Education
Deposited On:	2018-02-09
Last Modified:	2018-12-06
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