Development of stigma-related support for autistic adults: Insights from the autism community.
Emeline Han, Katrina Scior, Eric Heath and 2 others
PMID 36597933WHAT IT FOUND
Most autistic adults and caregivers who responded supported stigma help, but many warned it must not blame autistic people.
They wanted flexible, positive support focused on self-acceptance, disclosure choices, and practical strategies.
Key findings
01Most respondents thought support for autistic adults to manage stigma was important (n = 114; 79%).
02Participants wanted positive, practical support focused on empowerment, understanding and accepting autism, and context-specific disclosure strategies rather than mutual sympathy.
03When presented with HOP and STORM, 44% thought either could be adapted for autistic adults, 25% thought HOP was more suitable, 16% thought STORM was more suitable, and 15% thought neither was suitable.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
This is a survey of views about a possible programme, not a trial of an intervention. It does not show whether stigma support helps autistic adults. The sample was recruited from one database in the United Kingdom and was predominantly White. It may not represent autistic adults and caregivers from other settings or backgrounds. 64 of the 208 people who consented did not complete the survey. Their views are not reported. The qualitative analysis was led by a single researcher who did not identify as autistic. Autistic team members helped develop materials and reviewed findings. The study did not collect detailed information about sexuality, socio-economic status or co-occurring disabilities. Intersectional experiences were not examined. Autistic adults and parents/caregivers may value different things. For example, autistic adults were more likely to endorse an autistic facilitator, while caregivers were more likely to endorse caregiver involvement.
Declared interests
The article text does not report funding or author conflicts; the supplied publication types list Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that a stigma support programme works for autistic adults. The paper reports survey views about what such a programme might look like. It tests no intervention.