Perceptions of Physical Activity Participation Among Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Conceptual Model of Conditional Participation.

Only adolescents with ASD without co-occurring intellectual disability who felt comfortable taking part in an interview were included, so the findings do not represent adolescents with more severe impairments or those who did not take part. The study had no age- and gender-matched comparison group of adolescents without ASD. The sample was small and included 17 boys and 7 girls, so girls' experiences may be less represented than boys' experiences. The stated purpose was understanding rather than generalization, and the resulting model is conceptual and does not say which conditions matter most. The adolescents reported perceptions and experiences, not measured changes in physical activity, so the study does not show that meeting these conditions increases participation. The first author was a physiotherapist with a background in adapted physical activity, and the authors' disciplinary perspectives may have shaped the interpretation.

Funded by Stiftelsen Sunnerdahls Handikappfond, Kempe-Carlgrenska fonden and Region Örebro County. No author conflicts of interest are reported in the supplied text.

Do not conclude that giving adolescents with ASD more choice, predictability or adapted physical education increases their physical activity. The study only reports their perceptions and proposes a conceptual model. It did not test whether changing these conditions changes participation.