Attendance Compulsory, Motivation Conditional. Autistic Youth’s Psychological Need Support and Satisfaction Related to Physical Education: A Qualitative Investigation

Autistic students participate less in Physical Education (PE) than their peers. Motivation is a primary driver of participation in PE, yet little is known about factors influencing the motivation of autistic youth in PE. This qualitative study explored the experiences of Australian autistic youth aged 7–18 years (N = 26) in mainstream PE. A deductive content analysis approach, informed by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), directed the development of the interview guide and analysis. Deductive responses (k = 526) were related to the Basic Psychological Needs postulated by SDT: relatedness (k = 165), competence (k = 124), and autonomy (k = 76) and included 33 conceptual categories. Inductive responses capturing autistic differences were mapped to the Conditional Participation Model themes: Adjustment to external demands (k = 52), predictability (k = 41), and affective experiences (k = 68), incorporating 16 conceptual categories. Autistic differences underpin Basic Psychological Needs satisfaction/frustration. Supporting the Basic Psychological Needs of autistic students differs from their neurotypical peers, with PE teachers best positioned to facilitate a need-supportive environment for autistic students.