The Impact of the Urban Built Environment on the Play Behavior of Children with ASD

Shengzhen Wu, Chen Pan (), Lihao Yao () and Xiaojing Wu
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Shengzhen Wu: College of Arts and Design, Jimei University, Xiamen 361000, China
Chen Pan: School of Art and Design, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
Lihao Yao: College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524000, China
Xiaojing Wu: Department of Economic Management, Fujian Economic and Trade School, Quanzhou 362000, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-14

Abstract: Anxiety caused by the lack of social skills is the biggest problem faced by children with ASD. Playing can improve children’s social skills and relieve anxiety. This study aimed to explore the influence of urban built environments on ASD children’s play behavior. The participants in this study were 57 parents of children with ASD. An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect and analyze data. At the same time, retrospective semi-structured interviews with 31 parents of ASD children were performed to validate the data analysis results. The results showed that lower residential building density, higher residential greening and higher destination accessibility have positive effects on ASD children’s play behavior. Excellent transportation facilities and high NDVI vegetation coverage have positive effects on the play behavior of children with ASD. More recreational facilities and recreational playability have positive impacts on the play behavior of children with ASD. The population density and number of children in the destination, as well as public facilities, influence the play behavior of children with ASD. The research results can promote the integration of this group into urban life and further promote social equity. At the same time, with the social needs of autistic children as an intermediary, it is expected to further explore new directions for sustainable urban development. Finally, combined with the research results, parents of ASD children are given proposals for how to increase the likelihood of children’s play behavior by choosing appropriate urban built environments.

Keywords: children with ASD; social anxiety; play behavior; urban built environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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