“I Guess when a Lot of People Collectively Outwardly Don’t Like you, you Start to find a Dislike Within Yourself”: Experiences of Belonging Among Autistic Adolescents Assigned Female at Birth in Mainstream School Settings

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. two authors of this publication are identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Metadata sources used for this reference

OpenAlex Crossref
Learn more about the sources used

Pearson, A., Brennan-Devine, N., Clarke, C., Kakoulidou, M., Kelly, L. B., Moyse, R., & Pavlopoulou, G. (2025). “I Guess when a Lot of People Collectively Outwardly Don’t Like you, you Start to find a Dislike Within Yourself”: Experiences of Belonging Among Autistic Adolescents Assigned Female at Birth in Mainstream School Settings. School Mental Health, 17(4), 1373-1388. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-025-09813-7

Journal or book title
School Mental Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
17
Issue
4
Pages
1373-1388
Publication date: 1 Oct 2025 Added to AutiHub: 6 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) Full text OpenAlex source

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
7
Publication authors identified as autistic
2 / 7 (28.6%)
  1. Amy Pearson *
  2. Natassja Brennan-Devine
  3. Chris Clarke
  4. Myrofora Kakoulidou
  1. Laura Beth Kelly
  2. R. Moyse *
  3. Georgia Pavlopoulou

Abstract

Abstract There is evidence that feeling a sense of belonging supports pupils’ social acceptance and is a protective factor against harmful psychological outcomes. Despite this, limited research has considered autistic girls’ belonging experiences in mainstream schools and what needs to change to facilitate belonging. Personal constructs and lived experiences of school belonging were explored using semi-structured interviews and personalised activities (e.g. drawings and poetry) with 18 autistic adolescents assigned female at birth (AFAB) in mainstream school settings. Participants were involved in the data analysis process as they commented on codes and themes. We generated three main themes from the data. Theme 1) “Wanting to feel seen and heard” focussed on the recognition and validation of the autistic experience and identity, and how understanding of autism informs practice. Theme 2) “Longing to belong” focussed on the young people’s experience of trying to develop relationships with others, their experiences of trying to fit in, and the impact that this had on them. Theme 3) “Sensory build-up results in shutdown” focussed on the overwhelming nature of the sensory environment in school, and the impact that this has on both the learning and social experience. All participants want to be externally valued, heard, and involved in the school community. However, aspects of masking, stigma and sensory experiences limit the girls’ belonging in school. Implications for professionals and future research are discussed along with recommendations. The latter can inform future school mental health policy and practice to create emotionally healthy school environments, in which autistic young people can be their authentic selves and have their best lives.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 2 Oct 2026 17:07.

Cited references
92
With a DOI
82
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
9
15 / 92 (16.3%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
9 / 92 (9.8%)
References with detected author names
85 / 92 (92.4%)
Without detected author names
7
Without a structured title
9
Without a stable identifier
9
References with raw author names still to review
7
References with external metadata lookup issues
1
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
392
From DOI or external metadata
392
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
14
187 / 392 (47.7%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 205 / 392 (52.3%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
28 / 392 (7.1%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 28 / 187 (15.0%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 17 / 313 (5.4%).
  1. Joseph A. Maxwell (2008). A Realist Approach For Qualitative Research .
    Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W563963535
    OpenAlex
  2. Rahaf Al Qutub , Zhiwen Luo , Carolina Vasilikou , T. Tavassoli , Emmanuel Essah , Hannah Marcham (2024). Impacts of school environment quality on autistic pupil's behaviours – A systematic review . Building and Environment, 265, 111981. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111981 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4401671320
    Crossref OpenAlex
  4. Kelly-Ann Allen (2020). The Psychology of Belonging . Routledge.
    Type: Book DOI: 10.4324/9780429327681 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3048915309
    Crossref OpenAlex
  5. Michelle Dean , CONNIE KASARI , Wendy Shih , Fred Frankel , Rondalyn Whitney , Rebecca Landa et al. (2014). The peer relationships of girls with ASD at school: comparison to boys and girls with and without ASD . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 55(11), 1218-1225. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12242 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1977287536
    Crossref OpenAlex
  6. Kelly Allen , Margaret L. Kern , Dianne Vella-Brodrick , John Hattie , Lea Waters (2018). What Schools Need to Know About Fostering School Belonging: a Meta-analysis . Educational Psychology Review, 30(1), 1-34. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10648-016-9389-8 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2535360781
    Crossref OpenAlex
  7. Virginia Braun , Victoria Clarke (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology . Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1979290264
    Crossref OpenAlex
  8. Elizabeth Atkinson , Sarah Towner Wright , Henry Wood-Downie (2026). “Do My Friends Only Like the School Me or the True Me?”: School Belonging, Camouflaging, and Anxiety in Autistic Students . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 56(6), 2231-2245. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06668-w OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4406181919
    Crossref OpenAlex
  9. Michelle Dean , Gail Fox Adams , CONNIE KASARI (2013). How narrative difficulties build peer rejection: A discourse analysis of a girl with autism and her female peers . Discourse Studies, 15(2), 147-166. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1461445612471472 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2001982120
    Crossref OpenAlex
  10. Roy F. Baumeister , Mark R. Leary (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497-529. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2081155210
    Crossref OpenAlex
  11. Will Mandy , Rebecca Chilvers , Uttom Chowdhury , Gemma Salter , Anna Seigal , David Skuse (2012). Sex differences in autism spectrum disorder: Evidence from a large sample of children and adolescents . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(7), 1304. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-011-1356-0 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2011286893
    Crossref OpenAlex
  12. Penny Benford , P Standen (2009). The internet: a comfortable communication medium for people with Asperger syndrome (AS) and high functioning autism (HFA)? Journal of Assistive Technologies, 3(2), 44-53. Emerald.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1108/17549450200900015 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2072674360
    Crossref OpenAlex
  13. M. Catherine Cappadocia , Jonathan Weiss , Debra Pepler (2012). Bullying Experiences Among Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(2), 266-277. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-011-1241-x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2034774915
    Crossref OpenAlex
  14. J Billington (2024). Billington, J., Loucas, T., & Knott, F. (2024). “I liked school, but school didn’t like me”: Autistic young adults’ reflections on their mainstream primary school experiences. Neurodiversity. https://doi.org/10 . 1177/275463302413101 Neurodiversity.
    Type: Other DOI: 10.1177/275463302413101
    Crossref
  15. Neil Humphrey , Judith Hebron (2015). Bullying of children and adolescents with autism spectrum conditions: a ‘state of the field’ review . International Journal of Inclusive Education, 19(8), 845. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/13603116.2014.981602 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2036366806
    Crossref OpenAlex
  18. Virginia Braun , Victoria Clarke (2021). One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis? Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 328-352. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/14780887.2020.1769238 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3048560297
    Crossref OpenAlex
  20. Coralie Chevallier , Gregor Kohls , Vanessa Troiani , Edward S. Brodkin , Robert T. Schultz (2012). The social motivation theory of autism . Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16(4), 231-239. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2012.02.007 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2091028497
    Crossref OpenAlex
  21. Louise Camm-Crosbie , Louise Bradley , Rebecca Shaw , Simon Baron-Cohen , Sarah Cassidy (2019). ‘People like me don’t get support’: Autistic adults’ experiences of support and treatment for mental health difficulties, self-injury and suicidality . Autism, 23(6), 1431-1441. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361318816053 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2902777586
    Crossref OpenAlex
  22. Christine K. Syriopoulou-Delli , Dimitrios C. Cassimos , Grigorios I. Tripsianis , Stavroula A. Polychronopoulou (2012). Teachers’ Perceptions Regarding the Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(5), 755-768. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-011-1309-7 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2095404982
    Crossref OpenAlex
  23. Karen Campbell , Elizabeth Orr , Pamela Durepos , Linda Nguyen , Lin Li , Carly Whitmore et al. (2021). Reflexive Thematic Analysis for Applied Qualitative Health Research . The Qualitative Report, 26(6). Nova Southeastern University.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.46743/2160-3715/2021.5010 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3177840734
    Crossref OpenAlex
  25. Carol Goodenow , Kathleen E. Grady (1993). The Relationship of School Belonging and Friends' Values to Academic Motivation Among Urban Adolescent Students . The Journal of Experimental Education, 62(1), 60-71. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/00220973.1993.9943831 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2123508888
    Crossref OpenAlex
  26. Sarah Cassidy , K. Gould , Ellen Townsend , Mirabel Pelton , Ashley Robertson , Jacqui Rodgers (2020). Is Camouflaging Autistic Traits Associated with Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours? Expanding the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide in an Undergraduate Student Sample . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(10), 3638-3648. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04323-3 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2993272702
    Crossref OpenAlex
  27. Catherine Sebastian , Stephanie Burnett , Sarah-Jayne Blakemore (2008). Development of the self-concept during adolescence . Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 12(11), 441-446. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2008.07.008 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2144900932
    Crossref OpenAlex
  28. Sarah Cassidy , Ashley Robertson , Ellen Townsend , Rory C. O’Connor , Jacqui Rodgers (2020). Advancing Our Understanding of Self-harm, Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours in Autism . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(10), 3445-3449. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04643-9 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3046493927
    Crossref OpenAlex
  29. Marjorie Solomon , Meghan Miller , Sandra L. Taylor , Stephen P. Hinshaw , Cameron S. Carter (2012). Autism Symptoms and Internalizing Psychopathology in Girls and Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(1), 48-59. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-011-1215-z OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2152334168
    Crossref OpenAlex
  31. Siobhan Tierney , Jan Burns , Elizabeth Kilbey (2016). Looking behind the mask: Social coping strategies of girls on the autistic spectrum . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 23(Suppl. C), 73-83. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2015.11.013 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2252057154
    Crossref OpenAlex
  32. Brian C. F. Ching , Alex Foster , Merle Schlief , Gemma Lewis , Priya Rajyaguru (2024). Co-producing school-based mental health interventions with young people, teachers, and schools: a case study . Research Involvement and Engagement, 10(1), 1. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1186/s40900-024-00636-5 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4403731472
    Crossref OpenAlex
  33. Kate Cooper , Laura G. E. Smith , Ailsa Russell (2017). Social identity, self‐esteem, and mental health in autism . European Journal of Social Psychology, 47(7), 844-854. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2297 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2593228649
    Crossref OpenAlex
  34. Anna Cook , Jane Ogden , Naomi Winstone (2019). The impact of a school-based musical contact intervention on prosocial attitudes, emotions and behaviours: A pilot trial with autistic and neurotypical children . Autism, 23(4), 933-942. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361318787793 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2883895853
    Crossref OpenAlex
  35. Kelda Sproston , Felicity Sedgewick , Laura Crane (2017). Autistic girls and school exclusion: Perspectives of students and their parents . Autism & Developmental Language Impairments, 2, 2396941517706172. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/2396941517706172 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2613788039
    Crossref OpenAlex
  36. Laura Hull , K.V. Petrides , Carrie T. Allison , P. Smith , Simon Baron-Cohen , Meng-Chuan Lai et al. (2017). “Putting on My Best Normal”: Social Camouflaging in Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(8), 2519-2534. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3166-5 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2616560149
    Crossref OpenAlex
  38. Mirabel Pelton , Sarah Cassidy (2017). Are autistic traits associated with suicidality? A test of the interpersonal‐psychological theory of suicide in a non‐clinical young adult sample . Autism Research, 10(11), 1891-1904. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.1828 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2727577692
    Crossref OpenAlex
  39. Joanne Danker , Iva Strnadová , Therese M. Cumming (2019). Picture my well-being: Listening to the voices of students with autism spectrum disorder . Research in Developmental Disabilities, 89, 130-140. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2019.04.005 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2939616925
    Crossref OpenAlex
  40. T. Ford , C. Parker , J. Salim , R. Goodman , S. Logan , W. Henley (2018). The relationship between exclusion from school and mental health: a secondary analysis of the British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Surveys 2004 and 2007 . Psychological Medicine, 48(4), 629-641. Cambridge University Press (CUP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1017/s003329171700215x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2729286160
    Crossref OpenAlex
  41. Janet Rosenbaum (2020). Educational and Criminal Justice Outcomes 12 Years After School Suspension . Youth & Society, 52(4), 515-547. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/0044118x17752208 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2782891860
    Crossref OpenAlex
  42. Darren Hedley , Mirko Uljarevic (2018). Systematic Review of Suicide in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Current Trends and Implications . Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 5(1), 65-76. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s40474-018-0133-6 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2788605551
    Crossref OpenAlex
  45. Janine M. Dutcher , James Lederman , Megha Jain , Stephen Price , Agam Kumar , Daniella K. Villalba et al. (2022). Lack of Belonging Predicts Depressive Symptomatology in College Students . Psychological Science, 33(7), 1048-1067. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/09567976211073135 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4283329471
    Crossref OpenAlex
  47. Dana Mitra (2018). Student voice in secondary schools: the possibility for deeper change . Journal of Educational Administration, 56(5), 473-487. Emerald.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1108/jea-01-2018-0007 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2888693867
    Crossref OpenAlex
  48. Chloe Fielding , Alice Streeter , Deborah M Riby , Mary Hanley (2025). Neurodivergent Pupils’ Experiences of School Distress and Attendance Difficulties . Neurodiversity, 3. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/27546330251327056 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4409473574
    Crossref OpenAlex
  49. Felicity Sedgewick , Vivian Hill , Elizabeth Pellicano (2019). ‘It’s different for girls’: Gender differences in the friendships and conflict of autistic and neurotypical adolescents . Autism, 23(5), 1119-1132. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361318794930 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2894712382
    Crossref OpenAlex
  50. Craig Goodall , Alison MacKenzie (2019). Title: what about my voice? Autistic young girls’ experiences of mainstream school . European Journal of Special Needs Education, 34(4), 499-513. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/08856257.2018.1553138 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2904963594
    Crossref OpenAlex
  51. Francesca Fotheringham , Katie Cebula , Sue Fletcher-Watson , Sarah Foley , Catherine J. Crompton (2023). Co-designing a neurodivergent student-led peer support programme for neurodivergent young people in mainstream high schools . Neurodiversity, 1. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/27546330231205770 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4387812931
    Crossref OpenAlex
  52. Victoria Milner , Hollie McIntosh , Emma Colvert , Francesca Happé (2019). A Qualitative Exploration of the Female Experience of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(6), 2389-2402. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-03906-4 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2917614824
    Crossref OpenAlex
  53. Georgia Pavlopoulou , Dagmara Dimitriou (2019). ‘I don't live with autism; I live with my sister’. Sisters’ accounts on growing up with their preverbal autistic siblings . Research in Developmental Disabilities, 88, 1-15. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2019.01.013 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2918128686
    Crossref OpenAlex
  54. Guldberg, K., Wallace, S., Bradley, R., Perepa, P., Ellis, L., & Macleod, A. (2022). Investigation of the causes and implications of exclusion for Autistic children and young people. Autism Centre for Education and Research, University of Birmingham. https://pure-oai.bham.ac.uk/ws/files/156385005/exclusion_for_autistic_children_and_young_people.pdf
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  55. Alexandra Leedham , Andrew R. Thompson , Richard Smith , Megan Freeth (2020). ‘I was exhausted trying to figure it out’: The experiences of females receiving an autism diagnosis in middle to late adulthood . Autism, 24(1), 135. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361319853442 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2947577397
    Crossref OpenAlex
  57. V Honeybourne (2015). Honeybourne, V. (2015). Girls on the autism spectrum in the classroom: Hidden difficulties and how to help. Good Autism Practice (GAP), 16(2), 11–20. Good Autism Practice (GAP), 16(2), 11.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  58. Laura Hull , Meng-Chuan Lai , Simon Baron-Cohen , Carrie T. Allison , P. Smith , K.V. Petrides et al. (2020). Gender differences in self-reported camouflaging in autistic and non-autistic adults . Autism, 24(2), 352-363. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361319864804 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2964343923
    Crossref OpenAlex
  59. Michelle C. Hunsche , Sonja Saqui , Pat Mirenda , Anat Zaidman‐Zait , Teresa Bennett , Eric Duku et al. (2020). Parent-Reported Rates and Clinical Correlates of Suicidality in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Longitudinal Study . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(10), 3496-3509. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04373-y OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3005129842
    Crossref OpenAlex
  60. Mirabel Pelton , Hayley Crawford , Ashley Robertson , Jacqui Rodgers , Simon Baron-Cohen , Sarah Cassidy (2020). Understanding Suicide Risk in Autistic Adults: Comparing the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide in Autistic and Non-autistic Samples . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(10), 3620-3637. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04393-8 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3010260927
    Crossref OpenAlex
  62. Myrofora Kakoulidou , Georgia Pavlopoulou , Susie Chandler , Steve Lukito , Maciej Matejko , Isabel Jackson et al. (2024). Deepening the participation of neurodivergent youth in qualitative mental health research: Co‐development of a general approach and the evaluation of its implementation in a study on emotion . JCPP Advances, 4(4), e12287-e12287. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12287 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4405136890
    Crossref OpenAlex
  63. Varun Warrier , David M. Greenberg , Elizabeth Weir , Clara Buckingham , P. Smith , Meng-Chuan Lai et al. (2020). Elevated rates of autism, other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, and autistic traits in transgender and gender-diverse individuals . Nature Communications, 11(1), 3959. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17794-1 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3048303946
    Crossref OpenAlex
  64. Jessica Manley , Charlotte Brownlow , Annette Brömdal (2024). Supporting the health and wellbeing of trans autistic school-aged youth: a systematic literature review . International Journal of Transgender Health, 25(3), 439-455. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/26895269.2024.2317392 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4391917572
    Crossref OpenAlex
  65. JA Maxwell (2012). A realist approach for qualitative research . A realist approach for qualitative research.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  66. Henri V. Pesonen , Juuso Henrik Nieminen , Jonathan Vincent , Mitzi Waltz , Minja Lahdelma , Elena V. Syurina et al. (2023). A socio-political approach on autistic students’ sense of belonging in higher education . Teaching in Higher Education, 28(4), 739-757. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/13562517.2020.1852205 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3097699348
    Crossref OpenAlex
  67. Robert McCrossin (2022). Finding the True Number of Females with Autistic Spectrum Disorder by Estimating the Biases in Initial Recognition and Clinical Diagnosis . Children, 9(2), 272. MDPI AG.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3390/children9020272 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4212916079
    Crossref OpenAlex
  68. Georgia Pavlopoulou (2020). A Good Night’s Sleep: Learning About Sleep From Autistic Adolescents’ Personal Accounts . Frontiers in Psychology, 11(2020), 583868. Frontiers Media SA.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.583868 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3115088354
    Crossref OpenAlex
  71. Marisa McKinlay , David Thorpe , Eilidh Cage , Catherine Grainger , Carol Jasper , Mary E. Stewart (2025). A systematic review: Which psycho-social-environmental factors do autistic students identify as being important for positive experiences in mainstream secondary school? Autism, 29(3), 566-578. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/13623613241285974 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4403443045
    Crossref OpenAlex
  73. Nina Palmeroni , Laurence Claes , Margaux Verschueren , Leni Raemen , Koen Luyckx (2021). Internalization of Appearance Ideals and Appearance Comparison among Adolescent Boys and Girls: The Role of Identity Formation . Identity, 21(3), 219-237. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/15283488.2021.1930542 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3175952736
    Crossref OpenAlex
  74. (n.d.). Miles, O., Boyle, C., & Richards, A. (2019, December). The social experiences and sense of belonging in adolescent females with autism in mainstream school. British Psychological Society. https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/handle/10871/37142
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  75. Siobhan O'Hagan , Caroline Bond , Judith Hebron (2024). Autistic girls and emotionally based school avoidance: supportive factors for successful re-engagement in mainstream high school . International Journal of Inclusive Education, 28(9), 1919-1935. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/13603116.2022.2049378 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4220902184
    Crossref OpenAlex
  76. India D. Rose , Catherine A. Lesesne , Jing Sun , Michelle M. Johns , Xiaodong Zhang , Marci Hertz (2024). The Relationship of School Connectedness to Adolescents’ Engagement in Co-Occurring Health Risks: A Meta-Analytic Review . The Journal of School Nursing, 40(1), 58-73. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/10598405221096802 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4225096581
    Crossref OpenAlex
  77. Grace Trundle , Katy A. Jones , Danielle Ropar , Vincent Egan (2023). Prevalence of Victimisation in Autistic Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis . Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 24(4), 2282-2296. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/15248380221093689 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4229017466
    Crossref OpenAlex
  78. Peter Mulholland , Richard Parker (2024). Understanding mental health in schools from the perspective of young people . Pastoral Care in Education, 42(1), 4-24. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/02643944.2022.2148174 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4309271259
    Crossref OpenAlex
  79. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022a). Social, emotional and mental wellbeing in primary and secondary education. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng223
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  80. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022b). Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: Support and management (Clinical guideline CG170). NICE. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg170
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  81. Monika Raniti , Divyangana Rakesh , George C. Patton , Susan M. Sawyer (2022). The role of school connectedness in the prevention of youth depression and anxiety: a systematic review with youth consultation . BMC Public Health, 22(1), 2152-2152. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14364-6 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4309908055
    Crossref OpenAlex
  82. Carol Vincent , Caroline Oliver , Georgia Pavlopoulou (2023). Lessons from lockdown: Autistic students, parents and mainstream schools . British Educational Research Journal, 49(3), 522-537. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/berj.3854 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4319315638
    Crossref OpenAlex
  83. Georgia Pavlopoulou , Susie Chandler , Steve Lukito , Myrofora Kakoulidou , Isabel Jackson , Elisa Ly et al. (2026). Upsetting experiences in the lives of neurodivergent young people: A qualitative analysis of accounts of adolescents diagnosed with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder and/or autism . JCPP Advances, 6(2), e70038-e70038. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.70038 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4413306082
    Crossref OpenAlex
  84. Mary Peachey , Laura Crane (2024). “I Don't Understand Their Sense of Belonging”: Exploring How Nonbinary Autistic Adults Experience Gender . Autism in Adulthood, 6(4), 462-473. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1089/aut.2023.0071 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4390604461
    Crossref OpenAlex
  85. Edmund J.S. Sonuga-Barke , Susie Chandler , Steve Lukito , Myrofora Kakoulidou , Graham Moore , Niki Cooper et al. (2024). Participatory translational science of neurodivergence: model for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism research . The British Journal of Psychiatry, 224(4), 127-131. Royal College of Psychiatrists.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2023.151 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4391882013
    Crossref OpenAlex
  86. Cody W. Welty , Lindsay Bingham , Mario Morales , Lynn B. Gerald , Katherine D. Ellingson , Patricia L. Haynes (2024). School Connectedness and Suicide Among High School Youth: A Systematic Review . Journal of School Health, 94(5), 469-480. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/josh.13445 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4392775124
    Crossref OpenAlex
  88. Public Health England. (2021). Promoting children and young people's mental health and wellbeing: A whole school or college approach. HM Government. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/614cc965d3bf7f718518029c/Promoting_children_and_young_people_s_mental_health_and_wellbeing.pdf
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  89. Luka C.J. White , Kiilas Vel Ixqe , Karen Goodall , Karri Gillespie-Smith (2026). Minority Stress, Camouflaging, and Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender and/or Non-binary Autistic Adults . Autism in Adulthood, 8(3), 345-359. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1089/aut.2023.0151 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4403106355
    Crossref OpenAlex
  90. Edmund Sonuga-Barke , Melanie Palmer , Kirsty Griffiths , Anna Wyatt , Andrea Danese , Susie Chandler et al. (2024). Why do attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder and/or autism traits place adolescents at risk for depression? Protocol for a longitudinal comparison of the mediating role of deficits in emotional processing and control versus emotional burden . Center for Open Science.
    Type: Preprint DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/dras7 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4404310781
    Crossref OpenAlex
  91. The Education Trust. (2020). COVID-19 education equity guide: Digital access. The Education Trust. https://edtrust.org/rti/covid-19-education-equityguide-digital-access/
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  92. Williamson, E. N. (2022). "It's Not Home but It Is as Close to Home as School Can Get": Exploring the Lived Experiences of 'School Belonging' with Autistic Adolescents Attending a Social Communication Hub: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ProQuest Dissertations & Theses].
    Type: Other
    Crossref