Health and Lifestyles Comparison of Youth with Autism and Their Siblings without Autism

The nature of ASD presents significant challenges for the successful engagement in physical activity. In an effort to better understand the barriers and determinants of physical activity, this study compared health and lifestyle information of teens with ASD and their teen siblings without ASD. Parents and their teens with ASD and without ASD responded to a self-select online self-report survey. Findings were limited due to the small sample size. Results indicated similarities for teens with and without ASD in most physical activity indicators and participation in physical education or adapted physical education. A few differences were reported showing reduced participation in clubs and organizations outside of school or home and very limited participation with friends for teens with ASD. Parents reported a need to accompany their teens with ASD most of the time. Study results are discussed in terms of health promotion implications and methodological adjustments for increasing recruitment and sample size.