A conditional inclusion: Participation,normalization and exclusions of young autistic people in sports spaces

Abstract

The article analyzes the participation of young autistic people in sport, highlighting the contradictions inherent in inclusive policies. Although inclusion is presented as a right, this study examines how participation may be shaped by implicit criteria related to adaptation to behavioral and sports performance norms. Through a qualitative survey of sports clubs, the study reveals that these young people are often forced to standardize their behavior and progress. The analysis suggests that those who struggle to meet these requirements may experience gradual exclusion, either directly by coaches or through processes of self-exclusion linked to excessive pressure. In this sense, inclusion may operate as a form of selective participation, favouring young people who are able to adjust to dominant standards. Based on the findings, the article discusses implications for rethinking sports systems in ways that better value diverse trajectories and avoid conditional forms of inclusion.