Barriers to physical activity in individuals with autism spectrum disorders after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes in Türkiye

The individual, environmental and systemic physical activity (PA) barriers experienced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in daily life may become more complex after a devastating disaster such as an earthquake. In order to effectively combat the high level of inactivity that may occur after an earthquake in individuals with ASD, PA barriers must be determined before the earthquake. However, no description is provided in the literature regarding the PA barriers experienced by individuals with ASD after the earthquake. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to examine parents’ experiences regarding PA barriers experienced by individuals with ASD after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye. Fifteen parents of individuals aged 8 and 31 with ASD were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed using both inductive and deductive content analysis approach. Three overarching themes were found: (1) the effects of PA on individuals with ASD, (2) post-earthquake PA barriers, and (3) the consequences of lack of PA in individuals with ASD. The results revealed that parents were aware of the benefits of PA and directed their children with ASD to PA before the earthquake. However, after the earthquake, parents encountered PA barriers that they had to overcome, and this negatively affected the children with ASD.