Determinants and challenges in physical activity participation in families with children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders from a family systems perspective

•Both children with HFASD and their parents had lower levels of MVPA.•Children with HFASD are isolated or rejected by their peers in PA settings.•Families are trying to balance the child's needs and the needs of entire family.•Parents express feelings of isolation and lack of understanding from the community.•Educators lack the necessary knowledge and training about the disability at schools. The underlying factors affecting physical activity (PA) participation of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASDs) and their family members were investigated using a mixed method research design. Six families with children with HFASD aged 4 through 13 participated in the study. Findings revealed that levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children with HFASD varied between 85min and 405min for seven days. Parents of children with HFASD in this study were inactive (levels of MVPA varied between 6min and 53min) during this period. Qualitative data from parents highlighted many essential issues. Those issues are categorized under three main themes: (a) understanding PA in children with HFASD, (b) living with a child with HFASD, and (c) awareness of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) at school and community settings. Social skills, issues related to bullying, fear of injury to the child, as well as support from family members and lack of understanding of the disability emerged as subthemes extracted from these data.