In clinic, I often meet children and teens who tell me they hate participating in school sport or active play with their peers. In my experience, this isn’t always about being defiant or “difficult”, there are often very real reasons behind it. And more often than not, kids are too self-conscious to explain why.
Here are some of the most common reasons I see:
Sensory overload in group settings
Many kids on the spectrum find busy, noisy and unpredictable environments overwhelming. While exercise can be an amazing self-regulation tool – especially activities like heavy work or vestibular exercises, it’s hard for them to get the benefits if the setting is overstimulating. I often work from a set list of familiar “base exercises” and make changes gradually, unless a child thrives on variety. The key is tailoring programs to the individual, sometimes that means avoiding bright lights, reducing noise and creating a calmer space to move in.
Physical challenges
Children on the spectrum may also experience low muscle tone, hypermobility, reduced balance or movement coordination. These can make running, climbing, jumping, landing or playing ball sports harder, and more daunting. Some feel self-conscious about their “floppy” running style or hand-eye coordination. This can lead to:
- Rushing through activities
- Acting silly to mask difficulty
- Handing tasks off to others
- Poor coordination and frequent falls
- Emotional dysregulation
Anxiety and self-consciousness
High levels of anxiety and fear of making mistakes can be enough to make a child avoid joining in altogether.
A real-life example
One of my clients, a 9-year-old sensory seeker, refused to play sport at school. He loves movement, but the noise, crowds and unpredictability of school sport were overwhelming. We now work together in a quiet, one-on-one environment. His sessions are designed to meet both his physical and emotional needs – from lifting weights and working battle ropes to boxing, balance work, calming stretches and breathwork. He’s thriving… and even ends each session with a high-five.
Working in schools
We also see children in their school environment, incorporating active play and exercise into their day in ways that suit their needs. This builds strength, stability, endurance, stamina and movement confidence without the constant comparison to peers. Over time, this can help many kids feel ready to join in group settings.
The takeaway? If your child avoids sport or active play, it might not mean they dislike movement altogether. It could be that the type of activity, the setting, or both aren’t right for them right now. Improving strength, balance, endurance and coordination can boost their confidence – and open the door to more participation in the future.
If you think your child could benefit from a tailored, supportive approach to exercise, our paediatric exercise physiologists are here to help.