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Spending of leisure time of children with autism spectrum disorder in Czech Budweis
HOŠTIČKOVÁ, Věra
Currently, there is a specialized centre (Auticentrum) in České Budějovice, where children with Autism spectrum disorder (further on only as "ASD") can spend their free time. Autism spectrum disorder is a pervasive developmental disorder, spreading through every important area of a child's development. Shortcomings are obvious in three main areas social, communication and in the area of imagination. Deficits in any of those areas are projected into the everyday life of the child. The theoretical part is divided into three chapters. The first chapter deals with the characteristics of the Autism spectrum disorder, the second chapter explains the concept of free time in the relation to Autism and the third chapter is designated to selected non-profit organizations in České Budějovice. The goal of the practical part of this paper is to determine real possibilities of spending free time that children with ASD have in České Budějovice, to analyse and to find objective reasons which limit the children's choice of free time activities. A set of information was gathered with the use of method of qualitative research. The collection of data was executed by half-structured interviews within a selected experiment sample of respondents. Interviews were carried out with questions on topics prepared beforehand with selected respondents, who were mothers of children with the Autism spectrum disorder. The results of this paper contain a free transcription of interviews with respondents and key questions answering goals of this experiment are listed in synoptic tables. From results of interviews with mothers, it is apparent that the foremost obstacle for children with ASD is their differences in behaviour. When choosing a free-time activity for a child with ASD, their specific needs and individuality must be taken into account. These children have specific capabilities and abilities and, therefore, also an approach to them must be specific. During the research, certain benefits were discovered for children with ASD that the specialized centre (Auticentrum), which selected children visited, or have visited. Respondents see as the largest advantage the fact that their children with Autism found friends, with whom they can spend their free time even outside of controlled hobbitry activities. Respondents are aware of further possibilities of free time activities in the offer of schools which children attend, but except after-school daycare, their children participate in activities only in the specialized centre. This bachelor thesis only confirms the fact that possibilities how children with autism can spend their free time are not sufficient in number. It also points out that it is necessary, when choosing an activity, to follow individual approach, to respect specific needs and capabilities of the child in question. This thesis could serve parents of children with autism as an informative material about possible use of free-time education in Auticentrum in České Budějovice. Further, it could serve other organizations as an inspiration on the offer of free-time activities of children with autism.
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