How is a sense of wellbeing and belonging constructed in the accounts of autistic adults?

This small-scale exploratory study sought to examine how a sense of wellbeing and social belonging are constructed in the narratives of adults on the autism spectrum, investigating potential contributory factors to these lived experiences, in order to inform further research regarding this topic and service provision for adults on the autism spectrum.

A thematic analysis was employed in order to investigate issues relevant to adults on the spectrum expressed through an analysis of articles within twenty-one editions of Asperger United magazine, with particular attention given to references made to factors that have influenced, either positively or negatively, an individual’s sense of wellbeing or social belonging, as well as any links made in narratives between these two themes.

Four main themes were identified from the data: meeting personal needs; living with the consequences of an ‘othered’ identity; community connection and recognition; and personal relationships. The themes identified highlight the many barriers and challenges faced by people on the autism spectrum in achieving well-being and a sense of belonging and supports previous studies, which highlight the need for support networks, effective professional support and autistic ‘friendly’ environments.