Development of stigma-related support for autistic adults: Insights from the autism community

• DOI: 10.1177/13623613221143590
• Publication Date: 2023-01-04T11:16:36Z
• Authors: Emeline Han; Katrina Scior; Eric Heath; Kana Umagami; Laura Crane
• Keywords: Stigma

Many autistic adults experience public stigma and some internalise this with negative effects on their mental health. While efforts to reduce are paramount, change can be slow, interventions prevent internalised may also needed. Using a mixed methods online survey, we gathered the views of 144 parents/caregivers people in United Kingdom whether stigma-related support programme for is needed and, if so, what it should ‘look’ like. Quantitative data (summarised descriptively) showed that most participants felt was important have managing revealed diverse preferences terms delivery, underscoring need flexibility. reflexive thematic analysis, four main themes were identified from qualitative data: (1) ‘We society not people’, (2) ‘Stigma difficult manage alone’, (3) ‘Focus positive, practical support’, (4) ‘There no one size fits all approach’. We discuss implications our findings how future area framed delivered. Lay Abstract stigma, which refers attitudes treatment others. Because that, apply unhelpful beliefs themselves, known as stigma. There evidence both linked poorer health adults. Clearly, crucial thinks acts towards people. several programmes trying do this. But help cope challenge an Most because harmful has challenges face disclosing diagnosis. However, concerned such could convey message people, rather than society, change. Participants suggested positive practical, helping understand accept well learn context-specific strategies responding and/or They stressed flexible inclusive, recognising very different needs preferences.