The necessity and challenge of family-school cooperation in developing fundamental motor skills for children with autism: the perspective of Chinese teachers and parents

Abstract

Objectives Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often show delayed development of fundamental motor skills (FMS). This group needs more attention and guidance to master FMS. It is very important to find out how parents can be involved in FMS intervention to improve the impact. The aim of this study is to explore the views of teachers and parents of children with ASD on the current situation of FMS teaching and the relationship between family and school in physical education in special schools in China. Methods Teachers (n = 10) and parents (n = 10) who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for semi-structured interviews and NVivo 12.0 was used for analysis. Results Two themes were highlighted: (1) The necessity of systematizing FMS courses for children with ASD; and (2) The challenges affecting the development of FMS for children with ASD. Conclusions This study provided a foundation for future research and practical activities, aimed at perfecting intervention measures and ensuring a holistic approach to the FMS development of children with ASD.