Determinants of Time to Care for Children and Adolescents With Disabilities

Abstract

Time use studies uncover the organization of daily routine of families of children with disabilities. The objective of this study is to identify determinants of time spent caring for children/adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and typical development (TD). Participants were caregivers of children/adolescents with/without disability. Structural equation modeling tested a proposed model of time spent in child care. The variables in the model were as follows: questionnaire (families’ socioeconomic status [SES]), children’s functioning (The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory–Computer Adaptive Test [PEDI-CAT]); hours of care (daily diaries), number of adaptations used, and help with child care (parents’ report). Distinct variable combinations explained 78% of the variation in the time to care (TD model), followed by 42% (ASD) and 29% (CP). Adaptations indirectly affected time to care through its effect on functioning (CP); family’s SES affected functioning through its effect on adaptation use (ASD). In conclusion, knowledge of factors affecting caregivers’ time spent on children’s care help occupational therapists implement family-centered strategies.