Quick summary: A Canadian study of 306 parents finds that autistic adolescents are falling well short of recommended daily physical activity levels, with sex, family income, and household size all shaping how active they are. Boys are more active than girls, higher-income families show greater sedentary behaviour linked to screen access, and adolescents with more siblings face additional barriers due to competing family demands. Researchers are calling for tailored interventions that involve parents and families directly, with physical activity embedded into healthcare practice as a support for the mental health and long-term well-being of autistic young people.
Most parents of autistic teenagers want the same thing: for their child to be active, healthy, and included. But new research from Canada suggests that for many autistic adolescents, regular physical activity remains out of reach, shaped by factors that go well beyond individual motivation or ability.
A study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders surveyed 306 parents of autistic adolescents aged 12–19 in Ontario, Canada, asking them to report on their child’s physical activity habits over the preceding year.
Patrick Jachyra, PhD, assistant professor at Durham University and one of the researchers behind the study, says the aim was clear from the outset. “The motivation for the study was to better understand what influences physical activity participation for autistic children and youth. We also sought to understand if they are participating in physical activity and how to support them.”
The findings reveal a picture that is both nuanced and concerning, with sex, family income, and the number of siblings in the household all playing a significant role in how active autistic young people are. Walking and swimming were among the most commonly reported activities, with 75% of adolescents participating in at least one of 18 identified free play activities. Despite this, overall physical activity levels fell short of recommended guidelines, which call for at least 60 minutes of moderate activity per day.
One of the more striking findings was the difference between male and female autistic adolescents. Boys reported significantly higher levels of free play activity than girls, reinforcing concerns that autistic females are being left behind in both research and practice. Studies with autistic women in adulthood have found that negative experiences of physical activity during their teenage years put many of them off exercise well into later life.
The number of siblings in a household also mattered. Adolescents with more siblings were less likely to participate in free play activities, a finding the researchers suggest may reflect competing demands on family time and resources. Income shaped activity in more complex ways. Higher-earning families were more likely to participate in activities such as martial arts, fishing, and paddling, while dancing and exercise classes were more common in lower-income households. Parental education was linked to sedentary behaviour as well, with more educated parents tending to have less sedentary children.
Jachyra emphasises that the findings point towards a need for approaches that go beyond the individual child. “Develop interventions, programmes, and supports that can consider the specific circumstances of individuals and families. Consider how physical activity can be used with family members and parents to support autistic children and all individuals also involved in their lives, given the benefits of physical activity participation.”
He also points to broader directions for future research and practice. “Embedding physical activity in healthcare practice for autistic children and adolescents and developing physical activity interventions to support their mental health are highlighted as future research and practice directions. The value of a lifespan approach to support future generations of physical activity participation for autistic people is also discussed.”
The research was conducted before the Covid pandemic and is limited by its cross-sectional design and reliance on parent-reported data, but it offers a valuable and detailed snapshot of physical activity among autistic teenagers in a Canadian context.
