AIN: Grandparents help autistic children
Date: 07/04/2010 / Category: Indoor play for disability schools and groups
Grandparents play a significant role in the lives of children with autism spectrum disorders, experts find.
The research, carried out by the Interactive Autism Network (IAN), found that one-third of the participating grandparents were the first to raise concerns about their grandchild's development.
About 11 per cent of respondents living in the same household as their grandchild, with 71 per cent playing some role in treatment decisions.
They provided direct childcare, transportation to and from appointments and school and kept themselves well-informed through proactive research.
Dr. Paul Law, director of the IAN project at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, said: "It is hoped that the results of this survey will help researchers, policymakers and advocates learn about the experiences and opinions of grandparents of children with an ASD, and advance efforts to advocate for improved services and resources."
The NHS says that some affected children have sensory difficulties that may lead to problems with movement.
Indoor soft play centres include a great number of objects and areas in a variety of colours, which could provide children with autism spectrum disorders with the sensory play equipment they need.
Posted by Lynne Woods
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