A mixed methods study of the factors that influence engagement in physical acitivity for autistic adolescents.

Despite the fact that physical activity (PA) confers many benefits for autistic young people (AYP) in terms of physical and mental well-being, research consistently indicates that
they are less physically active than their peers. Research indicates that the biggest drop-off in PA participation for AYP is during adolescence. Very little is known about the
barriers that prevent AYP from engaging in PA. Physical education (PE) at school is one way that all adolescents have access to PA. The aim of my PhD is to take a mixed-methods and multi-informant approach to understand the barriers to access and engagement in PE in mainstream secondary schools for AYP. A crucial element to my proposed research
is that participatory methods will shape the research from the outset (with AYP and my collaborative partner in NorthYorkshire Sport). In phase 1 of the research, a large-scale
study will be conducted to understand the predictors of secondary school PE access and engagement for AYP (coproduced with AYP). In phase 2, qualitative interview methods will be used with autistic adults to understand the factors that would have improved their engagement in PA during PE. The findings from phases 1 and 2 will inform the
development of a pilot psychoeducation intervention in phase 3 (co-designed with AYP and my collaborative partner), which will be evaluated in terms of improving understanding of barriers/facilitators to PE for AYP in mainstream secondary schools. This applied research has clear potential for impacting engagement in PA and improving the well-being of AYP.