Access to employment: A comparison of autistic, neurodivergent and neurotypical adults' experiences of hiring processes in the United Kingdom / Jade DAVIES in Autism, 27-6 (August 2023)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 27-6 (August 2023) . - p.1746-1763 Titre : Access to employment: A comparison of autistic, neurodivergent and neurotypical adults' experiences of hiring processes in the United Kingdom Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Jade DAVIES, Auteur ; Brett HEASMAN, Auteur ; Adam LIVESEY, Auteur ; Amy WALKER, Auteur ; Elizabeth PELLICANO, Auteur ; Anna REMINGTON, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1746-1763 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : adulthood;autism;employment;recruitment Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Autistic people face high unemployment rates. One reason for this may be that hiring processes are inaccessible. This study aimed to establish autistic people?s unique experiences of hiring processes in the United Kingdom, by comparing them to the experiences of non-autistic neurodivergent people and neurotypical people. Using qualitative and quantitative data from 225 autistic, 64 non-autistic neurodivergent and 88 neurotypical adults, we identified a series of (dis)similarities in participants' views and experiences of recruitment for employment. Similarities across the three groups included (1) frustration with the focus on social skills; (2) a perceived need for more flexible hiring processes; (3) a desire for more clarity and (4) the importance of the environment. Participants also acknowledged the important role employers play in one?s decision to disclose a diagnosis or access need. Yet, autistic people faced a set of unique barriers to successful recruitment, over and above those that non-autistic people faced. For example, the perceived pressure to mask autistic traits to succeed and concerns about stigma and discrimination. Participants' recommendations for improvements included the use of more practical recruitment strategies (e.g. work trials), more clarity about what to expect, and improvements in recruiters' understanding of the challenges autistic and neurodivergent candidates may face.Lay abstractAutistic people are less likely to have a job than non-autistic people. One reason for this may be that hiring processes (e.g. job applications, interviews) can be challenging for autistic people. To better understand the experiences of hiring processes in the United Kingdom, we asked 225 autistic, 64 neurodivergent (but not autistic) and 64 adults with no reported area of neurodivergence questions about their experiences using an online survey. We found a range of similarities and differences in responses. For example, participants in all three groups were frustrated with the focus on social skills in recruitment and said they wanted more practical methods (e.g. work trials) that help them show their skills and abilities. Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent participants discussed the importance of the environment (e.g. the interview/assessment room) in improving experiences. Participants also discussed how employers can impact whether somebody decides to disclose their diagnosis or needs - or not. Autistic people experienced some barriers to successful recruitment that non-autistic people did not. For example, autistic people felt they had to hide their autistic traits to gain employment and many autistic people were worried about being discriminated against if they disclosed that they were autistic during the hiring process. To make experiences better, our participants said that employers should offer candidates different recruitment methods and give them more information about the hiring process. They also said employers should improve their understanding of autism and other hidden disabilities so they know the challenges that people might face during recruitment. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613221145377 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=509 [article] Access to employment: A comparison of autistic, neurodivergent and neurotypical adults' experiences of hiring processes in the United Kingdom [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Jade DAVIES, Auteur ; Brett HEASMAN, Auteur ; Adam LIVESEY, Auteur ; Amy WALKER, Auteur ; Elizabeth PELLICANO, Auteur ; Anna REMINGTON, Auteur . - p.1746-1763. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 27-6 (August 2023) . - p.1746-1763 Mots-clés : adulthood;autism;employment;recruitment Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Autistic people face high unemployment rates. One reason for this may be that hiring processes are inaccessible. This study aimed to establish autistic people?s unique experiences of hiring processes in the United Kingdom, by comparing them to the experiences of non-autistic neurodivergent people and neurotypical people. Using qualitative and quantitative data from 225 autistic, 64 non-autistic neurodivergent and 88 neurotypical adults, we identified a series of (dis)similarities in participants' views and experiences of recruitment for employment. Similarities across the three groups included (1) frustration with the focus on social skills; (2) a perceived need for more flexible hiring processes; (3) a desire for more clarity and (4) the importance of the environment. Participants also acknowledged the important role employers play in one?s decision to disclose a diagnosis or access need. Yet, autistic people faced a set of unique barriers to successful recruitment, over and above those that non-autistic people faced. For example, the perceived pressure to mask autistic traits to succeed and concerns about stigma and discrimination. Participants' recommendations for improvements included the use of more practical recruitment strategies (e.g. work trials), more clarity about what to expect, and improvements in recruiters' understanding of the challenges autistic and neurodivergent candidates may face.Lay abstractAutistic people are less likely to have a job than non-autistic people. One reason for this may be that hiring processes (e.g. job applications, interviews) can be challenging for autistic people. To better understand the experiences of hiring processes in the United Kingdom, we asked 225 autistic, 64 neurodivergent (but not autistic) and 64 adults with no reported area of neurodivergence questions about their experiences using an online survey. We found a range of similarities and differences in responses. For example, participants in all three groups were frustrated with the focus on social skills in recruitment and said they wanted more practical methods (e.g. work trials) that help them show their skills and abilities. Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent participants discussed the importance of the environment (e.g. the interview/assessment room) in improving experiences. Participants also discussed how employers can impact whether somebody decides to disclose their diagnosis or needs - or not. Autistic people experienced some barriers to successful recruitment that non-autistic people did not. For example, autistic people felt they had to hide their autistic traits to gain employment and many autistic people were worried about being discriminated against if they disclosed that they were autistic during the hiring process. To make experiences better, our participants said that employers should offer candidates different recruitment methods and give them more information about the hiring process. They also said employers should improve their understanding of autism and other hidden disabilities so they know the challenges that people might face during recruitment. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613221145377 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=509

Autistic parents' views and experiences of talking about autism with their autistic children / Laura CRANE in Autism, 25-4 (May 2021)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 25-4 (May 2021) . - p.1161-1167 Titre : Autistic parents' views and experiences of talking about autism with their autistic children Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Laura CRANE, Auteur ; Lok Man LUI, Auteur ; Jade DAVIES, Auteur ; Elizabeth PELLICANO, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1161-1167 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : autism spectrum disorders  diagnosis  disclosure  family functioning and support  parents Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Previous research examining how parents talk about autism with their children has tended to focus on parents who are not autistic themselves. We collected information on this topic from 34 autistic parents of autistic children (most of whom had told their children about their diagnosis). We found similarities, but also differences, between the views and experiences of autistic parents in this research and those reported in previous research (in studies of largely non-autistic parents). Similarities include the following: it is important to be open and honest about the diagnosis; the diagnosis should be introduced/discussed as early as possible; discussions should be tailored to each individual child's needs; and we should not overlook the challenges associated with autism, but it is important to focus on positive aspects too. Differences include the following: autistic parents used personal experiences in conversations about autism, which was felt to result in increased understanding and empathy with their children; autistic parents overwhelmingly focused on more positive aspects of an autism diagnosis; our sample did not express concerns that discussions could have negative consequences too (e.g. making children more anxious); and autistic parents did not want or need professional support to talk about autism with their children (instead, they felt confident in using their own knowledge/experiences to guide discussions). En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1362361320981317 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=444 [article] Autistic parents' views and experiences of talking about autism with their autistic children [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Laura CRANE, Auteur ; Lok Man LUI, Auteur ; Jade DAVIES, Auteur ; Elizabeth PELLICANO, Auteur . - p.1161-1167. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 25-4 (May 2021) . - p.1161-1167 Mots-clés : autism spectrum disorders  diagnosis  disclosure  family functioning and support  parents Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Previous research examining how parents talk about autism with their children has tended to focus on parents who are not autistic themselves. We collected information on this topic from 34 autistic parents of autistic children (most of whom had told their children about their diagnosis). We found similarities, but also differences, between the views and experiences of autistic parents in this research and those reported in previous research (in studies of largely non-autistic parents). Similarities include the following: it is important to be open and honest about the diagnosis; the diagnosis should be introduced/discussed as early as possible; discussions should be tailored to each individual child's needs; and we should not overlook the challenges associated with autism, but it is important to focus on positive aspects too. Differences include the following: autistic parents used personal experiences in conversations about autism, which was felt to result in increased understanding and empathy with their children; autistic parents overwhelmingly focused on more positive aspects of an autism diagnosis; our sample did not express concerns that discussions could have negative consequences too (e.g. making children more anxious); and autistic parents did not want or need professional support to talk about autism with their children (instead, they felt confident in using their own knowledge/experiences to guide discussions). En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1362361320981317 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=444

Career progression for autistic people: A scoping review / Jade DAVIES in Autism, 28-11 (November 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 28-11 (November 2024) . - p.2690 - 2706 Titre : Career progression for autistic people: A scoping review Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Jade DAVIES, Auteur ; Anna Melissa ROMUALDEZ, Auteur ; Elizabeth PELLICANO, Auteur ; Anna REMINGTON, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.2690 - 2706 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : autism  career progression  career success  employment  scoping review Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Many autistic people are unemployed. Of those who are employed, many are in roles that do not reflect their skills, qualifications and/or capabilities, and little is known about how autistic people progress throughout their careers. This study aimed to review and synthesise the existing evidence about career progression for autistic people. In total, 33 studies met the criteria for inclusion, though no study directly aimed to explore the topic. Our findings suggest that underemployment is common within the autistic population. Indirectly, we identified several potential barriers and facilitators of career progression for autistic people. Possible barriers included personal (e.g. gaps in education and employment history), relational (e.g. disclosing an autism diagnosis) and organisational factors (e.g. inadequate employment support). Adequate employment support was the most frequently discussed facilitator. Future research should seek to identify the most successful employment supports for autistic people over the long term to ensure that all autistic people are able to live - and work - in ways that are meaningful to them. Lay abstract Lots of autistic people are unemployed. Even when they are employed, autistic people might be given fewer opportunities than non-autistic people to progress in their careers. For example, assumptions about autistic people?s differences in social communication might mean they are not given as many promotions. Indeed, we know that many autistic people are in jobs lower than their abilities (known as 'underemployment'). We reviewed 33 studies that tell us something about career progression for autistic people. Our review found that lots of autistic people want to progress in their careers, but there are many barriers in their way. For example, when they told their employer about being autistic, some people were given fewer opportunities. Research has also shown that autistic people do not get enough support to progress and that gaps in their employment history can make it difficult to progress. Our review suggested that good employment support (e.g. mentors) might help autistic people to progress in their careers. However, not much research has evaluated employment support for autistic people, which means we do not know how useful it is. Future research should find the best support that allows autistic people to live and work in ways that are meaningful to them. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613241236110 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=537 [article] Career progression for autistic people: A scoping review [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Jade DAVIES, Auteur ; Anna Melissa ROMUALDEZ, Auteur ; Elizabeth PELLICANO, Auteur ; Anna REMINGTON, Auteur . - p.2690 - 2706. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 28-11 (November 2024) . - p.2690 - 2706 Mots-clés : autism  career progression  career success  employment  scoping review Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Many autistic people are unemployed. Of those who are employed, many are in roles that do not reflect their skills, qualifications and/or capabilities, and little is known about how autistic people progress throughout their careers. This study aimed to review and synthesise the existing evidence about career progression for autistic people. In total, 33 studies met the criteria for inclusion, though no study directly aimed to explore the topic. Our findings suggest that underemployment is common within the autistic population. Indirectly, we identified several potential barriers and facilitators of career progression for autistic people. Possible barriers included personal (e.g. gaps in education and employment history), relational (e.g. disclosing an autism diagnosis) and organisational factors (e.g. inadequate employment support). Adequate employment support was the most frequently discussed facilitator. Future research should seek to identify the most successful employment supports for autistic people over the long term to ensure that all autistic people are able to live - and work - in ways that are meaningful to them. Lay abstract Lots of autistic people are unemployed. Even when they are employed, autistic people might be given fewer opportunities than non-autistic people to progress in their careers. For example, assumptions about autistic people?s differences in social communication might mean they are not given as many promotions. Indeed, we know that many autistic people are in jobs lower than their abilities (known as 'underemployment'). We reviewed 33 studies that tell us something about career progression for autistic people. Our review found that lots of autistic people want to progress in their careers, but there are many barriers in their way. For example, when they told their employer about being autistic, some people were given fewer opportunities. Research has also shown that autistic people do not get enough support to progress and that gaps in their employment history can make it difficult to progress. Our review suggested that good employment support (e.g. mentors) might help autistic people to progress in their careers. However, not much research has evaluated employment support for autistic people, which means we do not know how useful it is. Future research should find the best support that allows autistic people to live and work in ways that are meaningful to them. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613241236110 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=537

Evaluating measures to assess loneliness in autistic adults / Anna REMINGTON ; Jade DAVIES ; Laura CRANE in Autism, 28-8 (August 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 28-8 (August 2024) . - p.1959-1971 Titre : Evaluating measures to assess loneliness in autistic adults Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Anna REMINGTON, Auteur ; Jade DAVIES, Auteur ; Laura CRANE, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1959-1971 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : adults  autism  loneliness  measurement Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Several measures have been developed to assess loneliness in the general population. Here, we examined if, and how accurately, widely-used measures capture the experience of loneliness in autistic adults. A total of 203 autistic participants from the UK completed an online survey, which included two widely-used loneliness questionnaires: the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale Version 3 and the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA). Participants completed the measures and provided their views on how well they captured their experiences of loneliness. A direct measure, asking participants how often they felt lonely, was also completed. Results demonstrated that scores on the UCLA and SELSA questionnaires positively correlated with the direct measure of loneliness, suggesting that these tools accurately index autistic experiences of loneliness. However, qualitative responses suggested that participants found both scales difficult to complete. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified three themes that encapsulated participants'views: (1) failing to distinguish between the characteristics/experiences of loneliness and being autistic, (2) loneliness is not a static trait and (3) inappropriate wording. Given that our sample of autistic participants tended to prefer the UCLA scale to the SELSA, we provide initial recommendations around how the UCLA scale could be adapted for autistic adults. Lay abstract There has been increasing interest in research on loneliness in autistic adults. Much of this research has involved giving autistic adults widely-used questionnaires that are thought to measure how lonely people are. However, these questionnaires have been developed for the general public. We do not know whether these questionnaires accurately measure how lonely autistic adults are. We asked 203 autistic adults to complete an online survey that included two widely-used loneliness questionnaires: (1) the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale Version 3 and (2) the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA). We also asked participants to rate how lonely they were from 1 (often/always) to 5 (never). Participants were then asked to give their views on the questionnaires (e.g. what they thought was good, and what they thought was not so good about them). We found that the scores on the UCLA scale and the SELSA aligned with participants'ratings of how lonely they were, which suggests that these two questionnaires accurately measure loneliness in autistic people. However, our participants also identified several ways to improve the questionnaires. This included (1) better distinguishing the characteristics/experiences of loneliness from those of being autistic; (2) better reflecting how loneliness may change at different times and in different contexts and (3) making the phrasing of the questions clearer. Overall, our autistic participants tended to prefer the UCLA scale to the SELSA. Therefore, we present some recommendations about how the UCLA scale could be changed to be more suitable for autistic people. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613231217056 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=533 [article] Evaluating measures to assess loneliness in autistic adults [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Anna REMINGTON, Auteur ; Jade DAVIES, Auteur ; Laura CRANE, Auteur . - p.1959-1971. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 28-8 (August 2024) . - p.1959-1971 Mots-clés : adults  autism  loneliness  measurement Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Several measures have been developed to assess loneliness in the general population. Here, we examined if, and how accurately, widely-used measures capture the experience of loneliness in autistic adults. A total of 203 autistic participants from the UK completed an online survey, which included two widely-used loneliness questionnaires: the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale Version 3 and the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA). Participants completed the measures and provided their views on how well they captured their experiences of loneliness. A direct measure, asking participants how often they felt lonely, was also completed. Results demonstrated that scores on the UCLA and SELSA questionnaires positively correlated with the direct measure of loneliness, suggesting that these tools accurately index autistic experiences of loneliness. However, qualitative responses suggested that participants found both scales difficult to complete. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified three themes that encapsulated participants'views: (1) failing to distinguish between the characteristics/experiences of loneliness and being autistic, (2) loneliness is not a static trait and (3) inappropriate wording. Given that our sample of autistic participants tended to prefer the UCLA scale to the SELSA, we provide initial recommendations around how the UCLA scale could be adapted for autistic adults. Lay abstract There has been increasing interest in research on loneliness in autistic adults. Much of this research has involved giving autistic adults widely-used questionnaires that are thought to measure how lonely people are. However, these questionnaires have been developed for the general public. We do not know whether these questionnaires accurately measure how lonely autistic adults are. We asked 203 autistic adults to complete an online survey that included two widely-used loneliness questionnaires: (1) the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale Version 3 and (2) the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA). We also asked participants to rate how lonely they were from 1 (often/always) to 5 (never). Participants were then asked to give their views on the questionnaires (e.g. what they thought was good, and what they thought was not so good about them). We found that the scores on the UCLA scale and the SELSA aligned with participants'ratings of how lonely they were, which suggests that these two questionnaires accurately measure loneliness in autistic people. However, our participants also identified several ways to improve the questionnaires. This included (1) better distinguishing the characteristics/experiences of loneliness from those of being autistic; (2) better reflecting how loneliness may change at different times and in different contexts and (3) making the phrasing of the questions clearer. Overall, our autistic participants tended to prefer the UCLA scale to the SELSA. Therefore, we present some recommendations about how the UCLA scale could be changed to be more suitable for autistic people. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613231217056 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=533

Evaluating the online delivery of an autistic-led programme to support newly diagnosed or identified autistic adults / Caroline HEARST ; Maria ASHWORTH ; Jade DAVIES in Autism & Developmental Language Impairments, 8 (January-December 2023)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism & Developmental Language Impairments > 8 (January-December 2023) Titre : Evaluating the online delivery of an autistic-led programme to support newly diagnosed or identified autistic adults Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Caroline HEARST, Auteur ; Maria ASHWORTH, Auteur ; Jade DAVIES, Auteur Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Post-diagnostic support  peer group  psychoeducation  telehealth  autistic adults Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background & aimsExploring Being Autistic is an autistic-led group-based programme providing psychoeducation and peer support to newly identified/diagnosed autistic adults. In 2020, due to social distancing measures implemented following the coronavirus pandemic, Exploring Being Autistic was adapted for online delivery. Here, we aimed to replicate previous research into the in-person delivery of Exploring Being Autistic, to determine whether similar results were obtained when the programme was delivered online. Further, we aimed to identify the unique opportunities and challenges that online delivery afforded.MethodsWe used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, whereby the autistic developer and facilitator of Exploring Being Autistic worked collaboratively with a team of academic researchers throughout the research process. Together, we evaluated two iterations of the online Exploring Being Autistic programme, involving 16 attendees. Attendees completed questionnaires before, during and after the programme. Attendees were also invited to participate in two post-programme (group or individual) interviews: one following the completion of the programme (time one) and another 6-8 months later (time two). Attendees were included in the research if they completed at least one questionnaire or interview. Data were analysed qualitatively, using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsExperiences of participating in the programme tended to be positive. Participants appreciated the autistic-led nature of the programme, found unity in the diversity of the group, and developed a positive and practical outlook as a result of the programme. Further analyses of our data revealed mixed views regarding the online delivery of the programme. Opportunities of online delivery were noted, such as this mode of participation reducing cognitive load, enabling the programme to be accessible to more participants, and fostering meaningful social connections among participants. However, technology and practical issues were felt to cause barriers, and some human aspects of participation were felt to be 'lost in translation' (e.g., in breakout groups).ConclusionsThe online delivery of the Exploring Being Autistic programme yielded similar results to previous, in-person evaluations of the programme. While we identified positive aspects of online delivery, this mode did not entirely suit everyone's needs.ImplicationsFrom the current findings, we can make several recommendations to develop online support for autistic people. First, flexibility is key. To make support accessible and inclusive to a broad range of autistic people, the option for attendees to engage in-person, online or in hybrid formats should be considered. Second, if delivering support online, the use of breakout rooms should be carefully considered. While participants appreciated the opportunity to meet different people, some participants found the unpredictability and lack of scaffolding associated with breakout rooms challenging. To mitigate these challenges, groups could be pre-determined and shared with the attendees in advance (although consideration should be given to how the groups 'fit' together, and whether groupings should be changed at set intervals). Gentle warnings should also be given to those in breakout rooms, to alert them of the need to re-join the main group. Finally, support with technological aspects relating to engagement should be prioritised. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/23969415231189608 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=518 [article] Evaluating the online delivery of an autistic-led programme to support newly diagnosed or identified autistic adults [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Caroline HEARST, Auteur ; Maria ASHWORTH, Auteur ; Jade DAVIES, Auteur. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism & Developmental Language Impairments > 8 (January-December 2023) Mots-clés : Post-diagnostic support  peer group  psychoeducation  telehealth  autistic adults Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background & aimsExploring Being Autistic is an autistic-led group-based programme providing psychoeducation and peer support to newly identified/diagnosed autistic adults. In 2020, due to social distancing measures implemented following the coronavirus pandemic, Exploring Being Autistic was adapted for online delivery. Here, we aimed to replicate previous research into the in-person delivery of Exploring Being Autistic, to determine whether similar results were obtained when the programme was delivered online. Further, we aimed to identify the unique opportunities and challenges that online delivery afforded.MethodsWe used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, whereby the autistic developer and facilitator of Exploring Being Autistic worked collaboratively with a team of academic researchers throughout the research process. Together, we evaluated two iterations of the online Exploring Being Autistic programme, involving 16 attendees. Attendees completed questionnaires before, during and after the programme. Attendees were also invited to participate in two post-programme (group or individual) interviews: one following the completion of the programme (time one) and another 6-8 months later (time two). Attendees were included in the research if they completed at least one questionnaire or interview. Data were analysed qualitatively, using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsExperiences of participating in the programme tended to be positive. Participants appreciated the autistic-led nature of the programme, found unity in the diversity of the group, and developed a positive and practical outlook as a result of the programme. Further analyses of our data revealed mixed views regarding the online delivery of the programme. Opportunities of online delivery were noted, such as this mode of participation reducing cognitive load, enabling the programme to be accessible to more participants, and fostering meaningful social connections among participants. However, technology and practical issues were felt to cause barriers, and some human aspects of participation were felt to be 'lost in translation' (e.g., in breakout groups).ConclusionsThe online delivery of the Exploring Being Autistic programme yielded similar results to previous, in-person evaluations of the programme. While we identified positive aspects of online delivery, this mode did not entirely suit everyone's needs.ImplicationsFrom the current findings, we can make several recommendations to develop online support for autistic people. First, flexibility is key. To make support accessible and inclusive to a broad range of autistic people, the option for attendees to engage in-person, online or in hybrid formats should be considered. Second, if delivering support online, the use of breakout rooms should be carefully considered. While participants appreciated the opportunity to meet different people, some participants found the unpredictability and lack of scaffolding associated with breakout rooms challenging. To mitigate these challenges, groups could be pre-determined and shared with the attendees in advance (although consideration should be given to how the groups 'fit' together, and whether groupings should be changed at set intervals). Gentle warnings should also be given to those in breakout rooms, to alert them of the need to re-join the main group. Finally, support with technological aspects relating to engagement should be prioritised. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/23969415231189608 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=518

'I did what I could to earn some money and be of use': A qualitative exploration of autistic people?s journeys to career success and fulfilment / Jade DAVIES in Autism, 29-4 (April 2025)  

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'It seems like a luxury to be able to offer that': Factors influencing the implementation of annual health checks for autistic people in England / Jade DAVIES in Autism, 28-3 (March 2024)  

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Loneliness in autistic adults: A systematic review / Kana UMAGAMI in Autism, 26-8 (November 2022)  

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Supporting Newly Identified or Diagnosed Autistic Adults: An Initial Evaluation of an Autistic-Led Programme / Laura CRANE in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51-3 (March 2021)  

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