title: Stakeholders' perspectives on social participation in preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine (a) the essential components of social participation for preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using stakeholders' perspectives and (b) the facilitators and barriers experienced in promoting social participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed-methods, web-based survey utilizing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health - Child and Youth version (ICF-CY) taxonomy was circulated across Canada through purposeful snowball sampling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Frequency analysis of the combined responses of 74 stakeholders revealed the most essential components of social participation were: (a) behavior management, (b) social interactions, and (c) various types of play. Further, content analysis revealed that stakeholders used intrinsic motivation strategies and contingency management to facilitate social participation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stakeholders reported that the purpose of social participation was to engage the child in fun, enjoyable social activities that developed relationships between the child and peers and created a sense of belonging in the community.
authors.affiliation: a Autism Research Centre , Alberta Health Services, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital , Edmonton , Canada.|b Department of Pediatrics , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Germani
authors.affiliation: a Autism Research Centre , Alberta Health Services, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital , Edmonton , Canada.|b Department of Pediatrics , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada.
authors.forename: Lonnie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zwaigenbaum
authors.affiliation: c Department of Occupational Therapy , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada.
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Magill-Evans
authors.affiliation: c Department of Occupational Therapy , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada.
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hodgetts
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pediatrics , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada.|d Pediatric Centre for Weight and Health , Stollery Children's Hospital, Alberta Health Services , Edmonton , Canada.
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ball
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002170:Canada; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D058992:Social Participation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; disability and health – child and youth version; international classification of functioning; preschool children; social participation; stakeholders’ perspectives