Impact of Different Photo Conditions on Social Interaction between Grandparents and Grandchildren with Disabilities

Abstract

Grandparents can be important supports for children with disabilities, however they do not always know how to interact with children with difficulties in social interaction. Photos are a form of visual supports that may facilitate the interactions between a grandparent and the grandchild. In this mixed methods study, the effects of three different types of photo conditions on the social interaction between grandparents and their grandchild were examined using a single case alternating treatments design. Additionally, the perspectives of grandparents on their relationship with the child and factors influencing that relationship were elicited through qualitative interviews. The findings from the quantitative, single case design strand indicated that the children preferred looking at recent photos of themselves although qualitative interview data suggested children also enjoyed looking at photos that the grandparent shared. Photos provide a promising avenue for future research on grandparent and grandchild relationships.