Poster #133 - Parent Perspectives on Using Screen Media to Facilitate Positive Conversations About Autism With Autistic Children

• In Event: Poster Session 17

Abstract

Despite the increasing rate of autism diagnoses over the last two decades (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022), autistic individuals continue to experience stigmatization (Botha et al., 2022). Early parent-child discussions about an autism diagnosis (Oredipe et al., 2022; Riccio et al., 2021) and positive framing of autism (Cooper et al., 2017; Han et al., 2022) may improve autistic children’s sense of self and long-term well-being. However, parents may feel uncertain about how to approach the topic of autism (Crane et al., 2019).
Children’s screen media may be a valuable resource for modeling conversations and providing positive imagery of autism in an age-appropriate manner because of its ease of access and availability. Most U.S. households own a screen device (Rideout & Robb, 2020) and autistic children also indicate a preference for screens over other leisure activities (Stiller & Mößle, 2018). Furthermore, high-quality video can promote understanding of complex concepts for both parent and child viewers (Bonus et al., 2022; Bonus & Mares, 2018; Rasmussen et al., 2019; Richert et al., 2011). Despite the potential of screen media to support social-emotional development and facilitate conversations, parents may consider it an ineffective tool (Rideout and Robb, 2020).
The study described in this preregistered abstract was designed to characterize parent perspectives on using screen media to facilitate positive conversations about autism with autistic children. Following Sameroff’s (2008) transactional model of development, it is possible that child characteristics, parent perceptions and decisions, and environmental factors can impact a parent’s likelihood to both talk to their autistic children about autism and use children’s screen media as a resource to increase positive messages about autism at home. Based on current literature, we hypothesize that child age (Crane et al., 2019), parenting self-efficacy and perceived knowledge (Badurau et al., 2015; Crane et al., 2019), and environmental support (Rabba et al., 2019) are positively associated with a parent’s likelihood to initiate conversations about autism and utilize screen media to display positive messages about autism with their children, whereas the presence of specific needs or behaviors related to their child’s autism is negatively associated (Crane et al., 2019). We also hypothesize that positive parental perceptions of screen media will be positively associated with a parent’s likelihood to utilize screen media to display positive messages about autism to their children.
The sample will include 100 parents with at least one autistic child between 4 to 8 years old. At least 25 children will be female. Participants will complete an online survey with questions about their family and child, their perceived parenting self-efficacy (Kurzrok et al., 2021), autism knowledge (McClain et al., 2019), environmental support (Zhou et al., 2018), media use and perceptions (Valkenburg et al., 1999), and perspectives on their child’s media preferences. Planned analyses include linear regression to test the degree to which the likelihood of a) having positive conversations about autism and b) using screen media as a tool for positive messaging is predicted by parent and child characteristics, perceived environmental support, and perceptions of media use.

Authors

• Jennica Li, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  Presenting Author

• Heather Kirkorian, University of Wisconsin - Madison