Dr. Lise Olsen, IHLCDP Associate, is focused on promoting the health and wellbeing of children with autism and other developmental disabilities by finding better ways to support their engagement in safe and active recreation and play. Dr. Olsen and her team recently received a 2019 Implementation Science Team Project grant from MSFHR to study the implementation of a new physical activity coaching approach for children and their families over the next three years. Key components of the approach include personalized child-centred coaching; home-based activity components (using an app); an online networking site for parents and coaches; and social activities for parents. This approach has previously been tested with families in urban settings. The aim is to assess how it can be implemented for those living in rural and Indigenous communities in BC. In a related three-year SSHRC project awarded in July 2019, Dr. Olsen along with IHLCDP Associate, Dr. Ali McManus, and others were funded to evaluate an on online parent resource to support safe and active sport and recreation for children with autism.
Partners on this research include representatives from Special Olympics BC, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, researchers from UBC Vancouver, and executive sponsors form the BC Ministry of Health and Ministry of Children and Family Development.
For more information see:
https://nursing.ok.ubc.ca/research/promoting-child-and-family-health-lab/