Participation in Outside Home Activities in China: A comparison of Typically Developing Children and Children with Developmental Disabilities

Background: There are personal factors and environmental factors playing impacts on the participation of children with developmental disabilities in China. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the participation of children with developmental disabilities in outside home activities compared to typically developing children. Method: A quantitative cross-sectional method was used in this study. Participants were children with developmental disabilities (autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities) and typically developing children between the age of 5 to 13. An instrument called ‘Picture My Participation’ (Simplified Chinese version) was used for data collection. Results: In general, typically developing children attended more frequently and felt more involved than children with developmental disabilities in outside home activities. There were many similarities in attendance between the two groups of children. They both attended more frequently in formal learning at school, shopping and playing with others, and less frequently in spiritual activities, social activities, and trips. Some differences were found in the activities with lower levels of involvement. Apart from the spiritual activity with the lowest mean score of involvement in both groups, typically developing children felt less involved in organized leisure and trips. However, children with developmental disabilities had lower levels of involvement in health center visits and social activities. There was no significant association between age, gender, place of residence, and participation in neither the attendance nor involvement aspect. Conclusion: Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors play essential parts in the participation of children with developmental disabilities. More support should be provided to children with DD