Abstract
This thesis aimed to increase understanding of physical activity (PA) participation and experiences of autistic people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Engaging in regular PA is widely acknowledged to benefit well-being in the general population. Autistic individuals generally engage in less PA and report lower perceived well-being compared to non-autistic individuals. Autism commonly co-occurs with motor skills impairments such as developmental coordination disorder (DCD), which may impact PA engagement. Physical activity is highly valued in Aotearoa New Zealand, but little is known about sports and exercise among autistic individuals in this country. Given established associations between PA and well-being, coupled with discrepancies in autistic persons’ PA levels and poorer reported well-being, it is crucial to increase knowledge of their PA participation and experiences.
This thesis used multiple methods to address research questions. In Study 1, a cross-sectional survey was used to describe autistic individuals’ PA levels, enjoyment, preferences, barriers, and fitness goals. Participants included a convenience sample of autistic adults (N = 66; ages 18–73 years) and a convenience sample of parents, caregivers, and service providers (N = 189) of autistic persons (ages of autistic persons: 2–52 years). Findings of Study 1 suggest that autistic people experience various barriers to PA engagement, including poor weather, finding PA boring or difficult to learn, and believing they are not good at PA. These factors impacted their participation to varying degrees. A general preference for individual PA rather than team-based sports was reported. A DCD screening tool completed by a subgroup of parents and caregivers revealed potentially very high rates of suspected DCD among their children.
Study 1 described various aspects of participants’ PA; Study 2 was designed to further explore the nuances of autistic individuals’ PA experiences. In Study 2, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven autistic people, five support persons (four mothers and one partner), and one health promotion programme coordinator. Findings of Study 2 provide contextualised insights about individual PA experiences. Participants detailed how PA can be a creative outlet, stress release, or mood booster; however, some also described experiences of social exclusion in PA contexts. While parents and the programme coordinator acknowledged benefits of PA for participants, they readily identified specific or significant gaps in PA programmes for autistic individuals, and brainstormed strategies to address these gaps.
Results of these studies enhance understanding of autistic individuals’ participation in, attitudes toward, and barriers to PA in Aotearoa New Zealand. Taken together, two overarching conclusions were made: the first is the complexity and diversity of PA preferences and experiences among autistic participants; the second is the need to improve opportunities and support for their PA endeavours. Several practical implications were identified following this research. Some are relatively straightforward, like offering flexibility regarding PE uniforms at school. Others require broader efforts, like modifying PA spaces to reduce sensory overload. Such efforts to facilitate participation in and enjoyment of physical activity are crucial to enhancing the well-being among autistic individuals in Aotearoa New Zealand.