ABSTRACT

Introduction: Early intervention is a systematic approach aimed at supporting children with autism spectrum disorder symptoms, helping to minimize these symptoms and enhancing developmental potential from prenatal to preschool age.

Aim: To survey parents about their methods of obtaining necessary information for therapies, their awareness of early intervention, and their opinions on the role of exercise in their children’s development.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted from January to March 2024, involving 36 parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire via Google Forms, including sociodemographic data and questions related to early intervention and exercise.

Results: Significant developmental changes in children were observed between the ages of one and two, with speech absence being the most common initial symptom. The time from recognizing the first symptoms of autism to diagnosis often exceeded one year. Notably, 67% of parents reported familiarity with early intervention, primarily gained through the Internet and discussions with experts. Parents emphasized the importance of their involvement in therapy (69%) and expressed satisfaction with their understanding of therapy benefits (42%).

Conclusion: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder demonstrate a satisfactory level of knowledge about therapy methods, early intervention, and their role in the therapeutic process, underscoring their proactive involvement in their children’s development.

Key words: autism spectrum disorder, developmental progress, early intervention, parental awareness, therapeutic process