ORCID
- Nick Axford: 0000-0003-2434-2091
- Sheena Asthana: 0000-0002-1483-2719
- Kerryn Husk: 0000-0001-5674-8673
Abstract
Autistic people demonstrate poor outcomes on objective measures of wellbeing, yet research centring lived experience provides a more nuanced picture. There is growing support for person-centred, holistic and community approaches to enhancing wellbeing for autistic people. Social prescribing may be one such approach. This qualitative study explored the concept of wellbeing for autistic adults – including barriers and self-management – and the implications of this for modifying social prescribing. It involved semi-structured interviews with 21 autistic adults in the UK. Reflexive thematic analysis of the data supports research suggesting that self-determination may underlie many aspects of wellbeing for autistic people. The COVID-19 pandemic provided new opportunities to develop wellbeing strategies but also had negative impacts. Social prescribing could promote self-determination by signposting autistic people to peer support opportunities building on intrinsic interests.
Publication Date
2023-10-12
Publication Title
Disability & Society
ISSN
0968-7599
Embargo Period
2023-10-13
First Page
1
Last Page
29
Recommended Citation
Featherstone, C., Sharpe, R., Axford, N., Asthana, S., & Husk, K. (2023) 'Autistic adults’ experiences of managing wellbeing and implications for social prescribing', Disability & Society, , pp. 1-29. Available at: 10.1080/09687599.2023.2263628
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