“Set up to fail”: parent perceptions of OPA and sport participation experiences, barriers and opportunities for autistic children and themselves

Authors

Abstract

Autistic people exhibit significant physical and mental health difficulties and commonly face stigmatisation, exclusion, and social isolation. Previous research has shown that organised physical activity (OPA) and sports participation can positively impact the physical and mental health and social connection of autistic people, in particular children (including adolescents). Despite these potential benefits, research has determined that autistic children face more significant and unique barriers, culminating in low levels of OPA and sports participation along with a high likelihood of dropout. However, research that determines potential causes for this phenomenon remains limited. Nevertheless, despite these unknowns, parents are still being encouraged to enrol their children in OPA and sport by experts (e.g., doctors) without a multifaceted understanding of the lived experiences of autistic children and their families in these contexts. Given the increasing rates of autism diagnosis worldwide and the potential benefits of OPA and sport, the need for deepening our understanding of lived OPA and sports participation experiences is critical. As such, in response to this urgent need, the overarching aim of this research was to explore the experiences of parents of autistic children in OPA and sport contexts, along with their perceptions of how their children experienced these contexts. By increasing our understanding in this regard, interventions or strategies may be better formulated and implemented to mitigate any issues that arise (e.g., coach education, sports management, sports policy). Narrative inquiry was employed as the methodology to ensure the parents’ voices and experiences could be foregrounded. Underpinned by the social constructionism epistemology, 17 parents subsequently participated in this research. Using semi-structured interviews, co-constructed narratives, and reflexive thematic analysis, three themes were developed, providing much-needed insight into the OPA and sport participation experiences of autistic children and their parents. Theme one, “It is a juggling act as a parent,” describes the barriers the parents faced, such as stigma, social exclusion, and coaches perceiving parents as problematic due to increased involvement, such as requesting coaches to provide accommodations for their children. Theme two, “Autistic kids are set up to fail in OPA environments,” illustrates how negative societal perceptions of autism have been perpetuated in OPA and sport contexts via the performance-driven and ableist sporting culture, commonly resulting in the exclusion, stigmatisation, and non-accidental harm of autistic children. Theme three, “We have to set them up for success,” illustrates opportunities and beneficial practices, such as increased knowledge, inclusive attitudes, and robust coach-parent-athlete relationships. While there were some, albeit minimal, positive experiences found, the parents of autistic children commonly felt OPA and sports settings had failed their children and them as parents, which led to dropout in some instances. As a result of completing this research and the foregrounding of parents’ narratives, a broader understanding of the complex sociocultural factors influencing the OPA and sport participation experiences of autistic children and their parents has become known. As such, recommendations have been made which can be used by those involved in OPA and sport contexts (i.e., club committees and policymakers), offering guidance which can assist them in providing increasingly positive experiences for autistic children and their families. In addition, the parents’ narratives featured in this research have pedagogical potential, as they can be used for coach education, focused on creating inclusive, enjoyable, and safe OPA and sport spaces. The findings suggest that collaborative efforts are needed to ensure autistic children have their human right for meaningful participation met and to access the potential health and social benefits OPA and sport contexts can provide.

No cited bibliography is currently integrated for this reference. This does not necessarily mean that no bibliography exists.