Peer-reviewed article
Parental Perspectives on Sports Participation in Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1 Following a Multicomponent Physical Activity Program: A Qualitative Study.
Conesa-Molina M, Grau MD, Pablos A, Elvira L ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined what parents of boys with autism spectrum disorder level 1 think about sports participation after their children completed a 12-week physical activity program in Spain. Parents described multiple barriers including fears about bullying, lack of specialized programs, and poorly trained coaches. They also identified what helped their sons engage in physical activity, including specialized programs with small groups and trained professionals. The findings highlight that children with autism level 1 are often overlooked in sports opportunities.
Key points
- Parents reported their sons faced bullying and social exclusion that led them to avoid physical activity
- Non-specialized professionals and non-adapted teaching methods were significant barriers to participation
- Parents perceived specialized programs with trained professionals and small-group formats as key facilitators
- Limited availability of programs specifically designed for children with ASD Level 1 was identified as a major gap
- Parents described children with ASD Level 1 as an 'invisible population' with regard to existing sports opportunities
Limitations
This study captures only parental perspectives and was not triangulated with standardized outcome measures or direct observation of the children. The findings are limited to 17 parents in one Spanish region and cannot be generalized to other populations or settings.
Abstract
Background: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1 face barriers to sports participation that remain insufficiently understood. Methods: This qualitative study explored parental perspectives on barriers and facilitators to physical activity following participation in a multicomponent physical activity program (MCPAP). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 parents (11 mothers, 6 fathers) of boys aged 8-12 years with ASD Level 1 who completed a 12-week MCPAP in Valencia, Spain. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Seven themes were identified, capturing both barriers and facilitators: (1) parental fears and previous negative experiences; (2) parents' accounts of their sons' avoidance of physical activity in relation to bullying and social exclusion; (3) methodological barriers linked to non-adapted teaching approaches; (4) challenges with non-specialized professionals; (5) limited availability of programs specifically designed for children with ASD Level 1; and (6) location and accessibility concerns; and (7) parent-perceived facilitators and outcomes associated with the MCPAP, including transfer to natural contexts. Conclusions: Parents described children with ASD Level 1 as an "invisible population" with regard to existing sports opportunities. Parents further perceived that specialized programs with trained professionals, adapted methodologies, and small-group formats supported their sons' sustained engagement in physical activity. These findings reflect parental interpretations and were not triangulated with standardized outcome measures.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- A 12-week multicomponent physical activity program (MCPAP) with specialized design and trained professionals
- Population
- 17 parents of boys aged 8-12 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1 in Valencia, Spain
Key finding
Parents perceived facilitators and positive outcomes associated with the MCPAP, including transfer to natural contexts