ERIC Number: EJ1386522
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Aug
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: N/A
Development of Stigma-Related Support for Autistic Adults: Insights from the Autism Community
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v27 n6 p1676-1689 Aug 2023
Many autistic adults experience public stigma and some internalise this stigma with negative effects on their mental health. While efforts to reduce public stigma are paramount, change can be slow, and interventions to prevent internalised stigma may also be needed. Using a mixed methods online survey, we gathered the views of 144 autistic adults and parents/caregivers of autistic people in the United Kingdom on whether a stigma-related support programme for autistic adults is needed and, if so, what it should 'look' like. Quantitative data (summarised descriptively) showed that most participants felt it was important for autistic adults to have support in managing stigma and revealed diverse preferences in terms of programme delivery, underscoring the need for flexibility. Using reflexive thematic analysis, four main themes were identified from the qualitative data: (1) 'We need to change society not autistic people'; (2) 'Stigma is difficult to manage alone'; (3) 'Focus on positive, practical support'; and (4) 'There is no one size fits all approach'. We discuss the important implications our findings have for how future interventions in this area are framed and delivered.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adults, Social Bias, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Mental Health, Intervention, Attitudes, Social Attitudes, Coping, Foreign Countries, Program Effectiveness, Delivery Systems, Affordances, Barriers
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A