Background Accumulating research has broadened our understanding of body image
across novel populations, and attention is turning towards exploring how autistic individuals�…

Background A poorly understood relationship exists between eating disorders (ED) and
autism spectrum conditions (ASC: henceforth 'autism'). ED are more prevalent in autistic�…

While scholars have investigated positive body image across diverse populations, extant
theory largely excludes those with differing socio-cognitive experiences, such as autistic�…

Fitness centers may be an ideal setting for physical activity, yet qualitative findings suggest
social-level barriers constrain access for people with disabilities. To further test this, I�…

Neurodivergence has traditionally been characterised in medical and scientific research
through the third person and pathologising lens of the medical model of disability, whereby�…

There is growing evidence to suggest that autistic women are overrepresented in
populations of individuals with a restrictive eating disorder (ED). Recent research indicates�…

Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are known as the building blocks required for
participating in sport and physical activity. These skills encompass three categories of�…

The overlap between autism and eating disorders has been increasingly noticed in clinical
settings in the past decade, and researchers have highlighted several similarities between�…

This thesis aimed to increase understanding of physical activity (PA) participation and
experiences of autistic people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Engaging in regular PA is widely�…