The purpose of the proposed study is to explore the barriers to public park visitation that are experienced by parents of neurodivergent children. These potential barriers may include concerns about children’s physical safety, children’s fears and phobias, children’s atypical behaviors, and parents’ fear of being judged by others.
Neurodivergence is increasingly common among U.S. children. For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recently found that one in every 54 U.S. children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) alone (Maenner et al., 2020). Both neurodivergent children and their parents face various challenges when it comes to enjoying opportunities for recreation and tourism. In recent years, increasing attention has been devoted to making public park spaces more accommodating of individuals with physical disabilities, but similar efforts have lagged with regards to intellectual/developmental disabilities. The proposed research will help to fill this gap.
This research will shed light on the primary barriers faced by parents of neurodivergent children regarding the use of public parks in South Carolina’s coastal region, with a particular focus on playgrounds and beach areas. The research findings will be used to inform recommendations for making parks more accessible and accommodating for neurodivergent children.