Perceived facilitators and barriers for participation in leisure activities in children with disabilities: perspectives of children, parents and professionals

Background: There is limited knowledge about facilitators and barriers to leisure activity participation for children with disabilities in Norway, which is needed to improve rehabilitation interventions. Aim: This study aims to explore the main facilitators and barriers for participation in leisure activities for children and youth with disabilities in Norway. Methods: Semi-structured group interviews with 31 parents, 20 healthcare professionals, and nine children with disabilities were conducted. Qualitative content analysis with thematic coding was used, and the model of factors affecting the participation of children with disabilities developed by King et al. was applied for further deductive analysis. Results: Child factors, as viewed by parents and professionals, worked primarily as barriers and tended to increase with the child's age. The children themselves focussed on their own preferences, friendship and enjoyment as their main facilitators for participation. Most environmental and family factors worked both as facilitators and as barriers, with parental support as the most important facilitator. Differences between urban and rural areas in the availability and accessibility of activities were reported.

Automated summary

This study explored the facilitators and barriers to leisure activity participation for children with disabilities in Norway through semi-structured group interviews with parents, healthcare professionals, and children with disabilities. Child factors were mainly seen as barriers by parents and professionals, increasing with age, while children themselves focused on preferences, friendship, and enjoyment as main facilitators. Environmental and family factors played dual roles as both facilitators and barriers, with parental support being the most important facilitator, and differences between urban and rural areas were reported in activity availability and accessibility.