New research has revealed three in four autistic children want to play more sport, but face barriers that often go unseen. For 15-year-old dancer Hayley, it means there's often two performances happening - and only one ends when the music stops.
00:00In Hayley's house, dance is serious business, even when it's not.
00:07Hayley, stop smiling. It gives you wrinkles.
00:12But that doesn't mean dance always comes easy. Hayley's autistic.
00:16In dance class, they mask their struggles so well their teachers can't tell.
00:20It could look like doing the dance normally with a smile, but like internally I'm struggling, don't know what I'm doing.
00:27But when class is over, the mask comes off.
00:30She may even have meltdowns when she comes home and sadly for her, her meltdown always ends up her being unhappy at herself and thinking she's done something wrong.
00:42Hayley's love for dance helps them push through, but not everyone can.
00:46New research shows three in four autistic kids would participate more in sport or physical activities if they were more accessible.
00:54The issue isn't that they are autistic.
00:57The issue is that society is creating these barriers that are blocking people from participating.
01:03The study found that nine in ten autistic kids started playing sport, but by adulthood, fewer than half remained.
01:10Held back by environments that were too fast, too noisy, too rigid, or by coaches who simply didn't understand.
01:17The way I feel when Hayley dances, I have tears in my eyes, I'm so proud of her.
01:25Even talking about it now makes me teary because it's just gotten her through so many challenges.
01:31And despite the exhaustion, the masking, the school mist and days in bed, Hayley won't give up on what they love.
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