Advocacy among parents of children with autism
Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of advocacy among
parents of children with autism. Existing research related to parental involvement in the
autism community has been largely qualitative and/or without a theoretical basis. This
study utilized the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to predict and explain parents’
intentions to communicate with school staff and to attend autism advocacy event based
on their attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control. Respondents included
86 parents of children enrolled in the Delaware Autism Program (DAP), a highly
specialized program dedicated exclusively to educating those on the autism spectrum.
The survey was available between March 25, 2013 and June 1, 2013; 19 parents returned
paper surveys while 67 completed an online version. A multiple regression analysis
revealed that past behavior, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control predicted
communication and attendance intentions. Attitude was an additional predictor of
intention to attend an event. A paired t-test revealed that parents are more likely to
communicate about their child than they are to attend an event to benefit the larger autism
community. Pearson correlations revealed additional relationships, including a
relationship between past advocacy experience and current attitudes toward advocacy.
This study adds to autism research, advocacy research, and research expanding
applications of the TPB.
Description
Keywords
Theory of planned behavior, Autism, Advocacy, Parents of children with Autism