Examination of interactional behaviours between Turkish fathers and their children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between Turkish fathers’ interactional behaviors and the engagement of their children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study is a descriptive and correlational study and the participants were thirty father-child dyads in which all children were diagnosed with ASD. Thirty father-child interactions were videotaped for 15-25 minutes in a free-play context. Interactional behaviors of fathers were analyzed by the Maternal/Parental Behavior Rating Scale-Turkish Version (Diken, 2009) while interactional behaviors of children with ASD were analyzed by the Child Behavior Rating Scale-Turkish Version (Diken, 2009). The results revealed that fathers exhibited a moderate to low level of interactional behaviors while interacting with their children with ASD. When sensitivityresponsivity and emotional expressiveness behaviors of fathers increased in a positive way, interactional behaviors or engagement of children with ASD also increased in a positive way. On the other hand, when achievement-oriented, directive or teachingoriented interactional behaviors of fathers increased, children with ASD showed less interactional or engagement behaviors. Finally, the educational level and age of fathers influenced some interactional behaviors of fathers.