The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of autistic traits, socioeconomic status, barriers in the physical environment of school, and school climate on school participation among...Show moreThe aim of this study is to investigate the influence of autistic traits, socioeconomic status, barriers in the physical environment of school, and school climate on school participation among autistic youths in Dutch primary and secondary schools. This study used an existing data set, which was collected by the larger-scale research project through collaboration with the Nederlands Autisme Register (NAR). The participants were aged between 4 and 16 years old, who received a formal diagnosis of autism as confirmed by their parents (N= 200; Mage= 12 years). The questionnaires Autism-Spectrum Quotient, CASE, school climate and CASP were used. A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted. The enter method for the regression analysis showed a significant model, F(4, 113) = 8.41, p<.001, R2= .229 and adjusted R2=.202. Our model explains 22.9% of the variance in school participation among autistic youths in the Netherlands. Barriers in the physical environment of school was the only statistically significant predictor of school participation among autistic youths. This study showed that the barriers in the physical environment of school play a more important role in predicting school participation among autistic youths than autistic traits and socioeconomic status. This underscores the importance of an accommodating environment of school in school participation among autistic youths.Show less
