Grandparents and their grandchildren with autism spectrum disorder: building bridges through technology

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Title Grandparents and their grandchildren with autism spectrum disorder: building bridges through technology
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Social & Behavioral Science
Department Family & Consumer Studies
Author D'Astous, Valerie A.
Date 2011-12
Description Grandparents of grandchildren with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remain an under researched population. This research provides grandparents a voice concerning the experience of their grandchildren with ASD in workshops that taught them the use of the 3D Google SketchUp™ software. The workshops focused on the computer strengths of the participating children. Six grandparents participated in two focus groups. Videotapes from the focus groups were transcribed verbatim and coded. Two key themes were identified from the data: reframing expectations and building communication bridges through shared interests. Grandparents perceived that their grandchildren learned technological skills and had a positive experience, which gave them hope for future educational and employment opportunities for these grandchildren. The grandparents perceived that the shared interests in the computer program augmented communication opportunities between themselves and their grandchildren, and with other grandparents of children with ASD. This paper addresses the challenges children with ASD and their families experience and explores from the grandparent’s viewpoint the potential benefits of social engagement around technology.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Autism spectrum disorder; Communication; Grandparents; Intergenerational relationships; Technology
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name Master of Science
Language eng
Rights Management Copyright © Valerie A. D'Astous 2011
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 217,902 bytes
Identifier us-etd3,69519
Source original in Marriott Library Special Collections; RJ25.5 2011 .D37
ARK ark:/87278/s6hd89df
Setname ir_etd
ID 194535
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6hd89df
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