Development and Validation of the Participation Questionnaire for Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Kanagawa University of Human Services, Japan, have developed and validated a Participation Questionnaire for Preschoolers (PQP) to assess participation in preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study recruited caregivers of 412 children, including those diagnosed with ASD and those at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. The PQP was designed to evaluate participation in various domains, such as friendship, education, family satisfaction, daily living, independence, leisure, and community life.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PQP was developed and validated as a disability-specific tool to assess participation in preschool-aged children with ASD.
  • The study recruited 412 caregivers of children, including those diagnosed with ASD and those at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • The PQP was designed to evaluate participation in four domains: Friendship and Education, Family Satisfaction, Daily Living and Independence, and Leisure and Community Life.
  • The Cronbach's alpha values for the factors ranged from 0.74 to 0.88, indicating acceptable internal consistency.
  • The PQP exhibited structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity.
  • However, further longitudinal studies are needed to validate the measurement properties of the PQP over time.

Statistics:

  • 412 caregivers of children were recruited for the study.
  • 287 children diagnosed with ASD were analyzed for item reduction, exploratory factor analysis, and the calculation of Cronbach's alpha.
  • 7 items were removed from the PQP through item reduction.
  • The Cronbach's alpha values for the factors ranged from 0.74 to 0.88.

Sources:

  • Development and Validation of the Participation Questionnaire for Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Structural Validity, Internal Consistency, and Construct Validity. Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics, 2024;45(3):302-317.
  • NewsRx. Kanagawa University of Human Services Reports Findings in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Development and Validation of the Participation Questionnaire for Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Structural Validity, Internal Consistency, and ...). Pediatrics Week. May 10, 2025; p 292.