Episode 73 - Dr Josie Perry - Unpacking Neurodiversity, Motivation, and the 'Speedy Brain' in PE and Sport

In this episode of the PE Insights Podcast, Nathan speaks with Dr Josie Perry, chartered sport psychologist, author of six books and director of Performance in Mind. Josie’s work shines a light on identity, inclusivity and the realities of supporting neurodiverse children in movement and sport.

Josie shares why so many adults lose a sense of themselves as active people, often rooted in school experiences where PE centred narrowly on team games. She argues that broader, more varied activities can protect a young person’s identity as someone who can move, play and be physically active.

The conversation then explores the themes behind her book ADHD in Sport. Josie explains how ADHD traits show up in performance anxiety, emotional dysregulation and perfectionism, and highlights the growing need for understanding neurodiversity, something missing from her own training a decade ago. She unpacks why physical activity can be transformative for children with ADHD, while also acknowledging the limited research on overcoming sport-specific barriers.

Listeners will hear practical and highly relatable strategies for PE teachers. Josie explains how motivation differs across neurotypes, why autistic learners seek safety and predictability, why neurotypical children may respond to importance and consequence, and why ADHD learners crave novelty and challenge. She offers simple adaptations that help everyone: sending pre-session information, offering demonstrations, using peer buddies, varying levels of challenge and involving learners in setting up equipment.

The discussion also covers emotional regulation ideas, such as budgeting daily “energy coins”, and powerful approaches to self-talk. Josie explains why outcome-focused goals can undermine confidence, and why shifting learners towards inputs like effort, technique and small progressions supports lifelong participation. Her reflections on identity and belonging include a clear message: never let children pick teams. Instead, she returns to the true meaning of competition, rooted in the Latin idea of being “better together”.

To close, Josie poses a question for every teacher: What are the children in my class motivated by?

This episode is full of practical insight, compassion and clarity for anyone teaching neurodiverse young people, and is essential listening for PE teachers who want to create environments where every learner can thrive.

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