Grandparents of Grandchildren With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Influences on Engagement

This study of grandparent involvement was embedded in the context of technology workshops offered for young children with autism spectrum disorders. This research was intergenerationally focused and actively included grandparents as part of the program design. Fourteen grandparents of the seven students involved in the workshops were interviewed about their relationship with their grandchild with autism spectrum disorders, and we examined the differing levels of grandparent engagement with their grandchildren. Content analysis of transcribed one-to-one interviews with the grandparents indicated there was a range of engagement, with some grandparents being actively engaged while others were less engaged with their grandchildren with autism spectrum disorders and their activities. Implications for future research and intergenerational programs are discussed especially in the context of grandparenting grandchildren with autism spectrum disorders.