Factors Affecting Parents’ At-Home Interactivity with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study in Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract

The research aims to investigate factors affecting parents’ at-home interactivity with children with autism spectrum disorder and features the participation of 231 parents from 156 families in Hanoi, Vietnam. In this particular paper, the authors used desk research and in-depth interview with expert to collect necessary data, along with exploratory factor analysis method. The findings reveal that there are various factors impacting parents’ at-home interactivity with children with autism spectrum disorder. These factors may either positively or negatively influence the children’s growth and behaviors, as well as the at-home interaction between them and their parents. The factors include (1) Parents’ knowledge, communication, attitudes and feelings, (2) Home environment, (3) Experts’ and the community’s support, and (4) Children’s development. Generally, to enhance parents’ at-home interactivity with children with autism spectrum disorder, support from experts and the community is of great importance. This means organizations and institutions (i.e. universities or research institutions) need to offer guidance and training courses to equip the parents whose children have autism spectrum disorder with proper knowledge, skills and attitudes to coordinate with special education institutions in caring and educating the children.