Father involvement in the care, play and education of children with autism

Background: Despite general increased recognition of the importance of fathers, their role in the lives of children with autism remains under-researched. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the nature and extent of father involvement through an online survey of fathers of children with a diagnosis of ASD in the United Kingdom. Results: 306 surveys showed that half of fathers were mainly or equally responsible for their children’s daily care routines, irrespective of the child’s age or diagnosis. More fathers spent time engaged in play than any other activity, although nearly half had received no relevant training. Many fathers supported children’s education, especially helping with homework. The greatest obstacle to further engagement were the demands of employment. Conclusions: Findings are discussed within the context of the wider developmental literature. A more gender differentiated approach to service provision is called for alongside further research on enhancing father engagement in play and education.