Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and Sports: Autistic Spectrum Disorders Don't Rule Out Athletic Pursuits

Because autistic spectrum disorders may impair coordination, many assume that this rules out athletic achievement, but this is a faulty assumption for the following reasons:

Why then do many of those with ASD come to loath athletic pursuits? The answer to this question often lies in negative school experiences. In personal accounts of the school experiences of those with ASD there is a common theme of enforced participation in activities for which the children had no aptitude or interest, and the adverse experiences that inevitably resulted.

Those on the autistic spectrum are uncomfortable making eye contact and have difficulty interpreting social rules and facial expressions. Most prefer to spend time alone or with a close friend or two, and usually find noisy, chaotic environments extremely stressful. Such traits can make team sports difficult, but do not necessarily interfere with solitary sports.

Special Interests and Skills

People with autism or Asperger’s syndrome, a mild version of autism, have special interests that tend to obsess them, and in some cases become extremely knowledgeable and skilled in one or more areas of interest. This tendency to fixate on certain activities can lead to athletic achievement for some, assuming that they are able to find physical activities that interest them and they can overcome negative school experiences surrounding forced group sports participation.

Preference for Individual Sports

Those with ASD have difficulty coordinating their movements with those of others, and may have problems understanding the rules and social aspects of team sports. Being forced to engage in athletic activities for which they have no affinity under the scrutiny of classmates and teachers can create a lifelong aversion to sports. However, despite the common belief that all those with ASD dislike athletic pursuits, a perusal of ASD forums indicates that many of those with ASD do enjoy and excel in certain athletic activities, and while there are certainly those who dislike all sports, the same can be said of many non-ASD or neurotypical individuals. The primary difference is that those with ASD tend to prefer individual sports to team sports, and many did not enjoy athletic pursuits until they were able to engage in them on their own terms.

Sports that are often mentioned as special interests by those with ASD include running, weight training, swimming, martial arts, and other individualized activities that require intense, regular training. There are a number of accomplished ASD athletes with notable achievements in these fields, and many credit autism or Asperger’s syndrome with providing the focus and unique cognitive capacities required to develop and enhance their particular skills. Once a sport or athletic pursuit becomes a special interest, an ASD individual will pursue it with a single-minded intensity that increases the likelihood of achieving excellence.

Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Physical Education

Many of those with autistic spectrum disorders are denied the physical and psychological benefits of athletic engagement because they have developed an aversion to physical pursuits as a result of negative experiences during their school years. This has led to the mistaken belief that all those with ASD are naturally inclined to dislike all athletic pursuits.

Parents and educators, rather than forcing children with ASD to engage in particular sports, should allow them to choose athletic pursuits that interest them. Students with ASD would be better served if they were given the opportunity to explore activities of their choosing in order to select those that could potentially become special interests, rather than having a generic physical education curriculum imposed on them. Of course, as with neurotypicals, there are some who will never take to athletics, but providing options and opportunities for children with ASD to engage in athletic activities of their choosing and on their own terms increases the likelihood that they will find something physical that they like to do.

Further Reading

Feb 2, 2009 12:29 AM

Andrea Evans :

Hello Jennifer,
Just want to say what a brilliant article. My son, who was born in BC and is now living in England has Autism/Asperger's Syndrome. When he was young I was told he would never be able to hit a baseball! His coordination would never be good enough! He can hit a baseball very well, has played soccer and now that he attends a residential college here in the UK he plays tennis and snooker and will be attending the UK Special Olympics in the summer as a member of the badminton team!!! Message to parents, encourage the participation in sports and your children may prove the "professionals" wrong! Really appreciate your articles.
Thanks and regards

Andrea Evans andieonlyuk@hotmail.com

Mar 2, 2009 1:37 PM

Guest :

Hi! For my duaghter, putting her in sports was the best thing for her, especially with other children with the sane interest, she learned to improve her hand/eye coordination. She would play basketball with the boys, and became very competitive. she did not like playing jumprope, but, liked to play wall-ball, 4 square with girls. She increased her skills, but the comraderie with the kids, she learned to speak more, interact, and better muscle tone. She played in city playground teams, boys & girls, all through school; became ALL-county in Volleyball and holds the school record for the most aces, she played basketball in high school. She is attending college for chemical engineering, so studies come first. Sports are great for interaction, math skills, geometry, spatial, sequence, motor skills, self-esteem, routine, discipline. Many parents can learn their "inner child," while they play with their child, I learned Basketball and began to coach girls in the sport due to the decrease in coaches. Even Moms can start slow and build skills with their child, we played spelling games for homework practices; math skills; read books on the sport subject; when on trips with other kids to planned games; allow her to be "accepted." She even uses the sport to get other special kids to interact. I wote a poem once, about the importance of the "ball." sometimes with encouragement and set rules, and relaxation of me as the parent to give in sometimes, it was easier and had lesser meltdowns, the "ball," was the most accepting playmate, because it did not judge it just play with my daughter, and made her smile, laugh, and open up to the possibilities tofuture she has ahead of her... Never unestimate the power of the ball... Parents try to remember the fun you had with you favoritie ball, try experiencing it again with your child... You will find that you will relax and find laughter again...