Examination of interactional behaviours between of fathers and children with autism spectrum disorders

The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between fathers' interactional behaviours and the engagement of their children with Autism Spectrum Disorders( ASD). The study is descriptive and correlational study to examine the interactional behavior. The participants of the study were thirty father-child dyads in which all children had diagnoses of ASD. Demographic information regarding father and children was gathered via the information form developed by the researcher. Thirty father-child interactions were video-taped for 15-25 minutes in a free-play context. Interactional behaviours of fathers were anlalyzed by Maternal Behavior Rating Scale-Turkish Version (Diken, 2009) while interactional behaviors of children with ASD were analyzed by Child Behavior Rating Scale-Turkish Version (Diken, 2009). Results revealed that fathers showed moderate to low level of interactional behaviors while interacting with their children with ASD. When sensitivity-responsivity and emotional interactional expressiveness behaviours of fathers increased in a positive way, interactional behaviors or engagement of children with ASD incerased in a positive way as well. On the other hand when directiveness achievement or teaching oriented interactional behaviors of fathers increased, children with ASD showed less interactional or engagement behaviors. Finally, educational level and age of fathers influenced some interactional behaviors of fathers.