LEISURE ACTIVITIES OF CHILDREN WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES:

PERSPECTIVES OF CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS

Abstract

Leisure is an important area of life as it contributes to individual well being through pleasurable experiences. This study aimed to identify the leisure activities of children with physical disabilities, their activity partners, and the context in which t hese activities occur, based on the narratives of the children themselves and their caregivers. Seven children with physical disabilities and their respective caregivers participated in the study, totaling 14 participants. Semi structured interviews were c onducted, and data were analyzed using content analysis supported by Atlas.ti software. The results indicated that children primarily participated in three types of leisure activities: play, outings, and the use of technology. The first two were characteri zed as collective activities, while the latter was individual. The main partners involved in these activities were family members and neighborhood friends, and the most common settings were school and home. The findings suggest that children with physical disabilities do engage in leisure activities; however, their experiences are limited to a small range of activities and social partners.