Exploring the lived experiences of caregivers in an inclusive pickleball program for children with autism spectrum disorder : a mixed methods study, 2025

Item — Call Number: MU Thesis Car

Identifier: b7932417

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

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The collection consists of dissertations written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate Occupational Therapy program. The holdings are primarily bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.

During the fall 2022 semester (in instances where the requisite waivers were received from consenting student authors), the Monmouth University Library, together with the University's Graduate School and School of Education, began providing open access to select full-text digital versions of current theses and dissertations through links to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global website in the Library's Online Public Access Catalog. Links to these open access digital publications can also be found in the "External Documents" section under any conforming titles that are listed among the holdings itemized in the collection inventory for this finding aid.

Dates

Creation: 2025

Creator

Cardinale, Cristianna (2000- ) (Author, Person)
Garcia, Andrea (Thesis advisor, Person)
Hackenberg, Gabrielle (1986- ) (Thesis advisor, Person)
Patro, John (1985- ) (Thesis advisor, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.

Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (732-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.

Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.

Patrons must sign a completed Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to obtain access to the collection. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.

Full Extent

1 Items (print book) : 36 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Importance: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often face significant barriers to recreational participation, limiting their access to social, emotional, and physical benefits (Płatos & Pisula, 2019). This lack of access may lead to occupational injustice and increased social isolation.

Objective: To explore caregiver perceptions of a six-week inclusive pickleball program aimed at increasing accessible recreational opportunities for children with ASD. It was hypothesized that caregivers would report increased satisfaction and perceived child engagement after program participation. The research question is, “What are the experiences of caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder who attend an inclusive pickleball program?”

Design: A mixed-methods design was used. Pre- and post-program online surveys included both quantitative and qualitative items. Thematic analysis examined qualitative responses; descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data.

Setting: The study took place at Monmouth University in a community-based setting.

Intervention: The six-week inclusive pickleball program was co-led by an occupational therapy doctoral student and a physical education professor. Sessions were held weekly and included structured INCLUSIVE PICKLEBALL PROGRAM 3 warm-ups, skill-building stations, and modified gameplay. The intervention incorporated visual schedules, AAC supports, and sensory-friendly equipment to accommodate diverse needs.

Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes included caregiver-reported perceptions of child participation, social interaction, and program satisfaction. Hypotheses were formulated before any data collection.

Results: All five caregivers (four female, one male) completed the program. Thematic analysis revealed increased child confidence, social engagement, and community belonging. Quantitative data supported these findings, showing greater caregiver satisfaction and perceived child participation.

Conclusions and Relevance: This study supports the role of occupational therapy in inclusive sports. Adaptive programs can promote meaningful participation and social inclusion for children with ASD. Further research with larger, diverse samples is recommended.

What This Article Adds: This study shows that occupational therapy–led inclusive sports programs can create supportive environments where children with ASD participate meaningfully and develop social connections within their communities.