A Study On The Current Situation And Needs Of Leisure Education In Autism

Currently, Because of communication barriers, poor social interaction, and socialadjustment issues, the children with Autism are limited to participate in leisureactivities. As evidenced by researchers, the skills of Leisure activity could helpchildren with autism changing their cognitive behaviors and improving mentalcognitions. Basically, there are five aspects reflected the demands of LeisureEducation for children with autism: public awareness, supportive environmentalconditions, effects, contents and methods. Through Leisure Education, we couldexplore more effective ways to improve the quality of life for those with autism andtheir families. In addition, it helps to provides children with Autism with all-roundeducation.This research will conducted with self-compiled "Autism educational status andneeds of Leisure questionnaire" interview outline on109of those with Autism. Thereis a discussion about the current status of leisure education and critical influencingfactors included. In this way, it helps to understand the existing status of autism andoffer feasible solutions.Based on the results, over50%parents of those with autism have the awarenessof leisure education and its necessities. Currently, because of the limited supportiveresources in communities, the leisure education mainly conducted with families. Theexisting leisure education has improved the abilities of those with autism in behavior,emotions, knowledge, language skills, motor skills and life skills. In addition, there isevidenced that people with autism have strong demands in family, friendship, publicfunds, toys, and school supplies. Moreover, the educational level of parents is directlyproportional to the effects of leisure education. So does family income.As a conclusion, the development of leisure education could be promotedthrough four methods:(1) enhancing the awareness of parents in accepting leisureeducation,(2) combining the resource of families with communities,(3) increasingaids to poor families with autism,(4) mobilizing the forces of the whole society.