Situating emotion regulation in autism and ADHD through neurodivergent adolescents’ perspectives

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Pavlopoulou, G., Chandler, S., Lukito, S., Kakoulidou, M., Matejko, M., Jackson, I., Balwani, B., Boyens, T., Poulton, D., Harvey-Nguyen, L., Glen, Z., Wilson, A., Ly, E., Macauley, E., Hurry, J., Baker, S., Sonuga-Barke, E. J., team, t. R., Danese, A.,..., & Webb, D. (2025). Situating emotion regulation in autism and ADHD through neurodivergent adolescents’ perspectives. Scientific Reports, 15(1), Article 37464. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-21208-x

Publication date: 27 Oct 2025 Added to AutiHub: 9 Oct 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
42
Publication authors identified as autistic
3 / 42 (7.1%)
  1. Georgia Pavlopoulou
  2. Susie Chandler
  3. Steve Lukito
  4. Myrofora Kakoulidou
  5. Maciej Matejko *
  6. Isabel Jackson
  7. Beta Balwani
  8. Tiegan Boyens
  9. Dorian Poulton
  10. Luke Harvey-Nguyen
  11. Zoë Glen *
  12. Archie Wilson
  13. Elisa Ly
  14. Elizabeth Macauley
  1. Jane Hurry
  2. Sylvan Baker
  3. Edmund J.S. Sonuga-Barke
  4. the RE‐STAR team
  5. Andrea Danese
  6. Johnny M. Downs
  7. Eloise Funnell
  8. Kirsty Griffiths
  9. Lauren Low
  10. Umaya Prasad
  11. Angus Roberts
  12. Emily Simonoff
  13. Daniel Stahl
  14. Anna Wyatt
  1. Graham Moore
  2. Dennis Ougrin
  3. Amanda Roestorf
  4. Rebecca Kirkbride
  5. Claire Lewis
  6. Youth Researcher Panel members
  7. Jordan Altimimi
  8. Saskia Barnes
  9. Cj Harris
  10. Charlotte Hillman
  11. Issy Jackson
  12. Amber Johnson *
  13. Anya Rose
  14. Darren Webb

Abstract

Abstract Accounts of emotional dysregulation in autism and ADHD are typically based on external adult observations anchored in neurotypical notions of appropriate emotional responses1. These often fail to account for neurodivergent people’s efforts to regulate in the context of the upsetting experiences they face, and to explore how neurodivergent young people manage emotional burden or find effective strategies to reduce distress and increase resilience. We interviewed 57 adolescents (11-15 years; 19 females) with diagnoses of ADHD (n=24), autism (n=21) or both (n=12), about their experience of upsetting events using a codesigned semi-structured interview schedule. We analysed data using reflexive thematic analysis which generated shared themes with diagnostic nuances. Three themes were found: (1) What helps prevent experiences from becoming upsetting, (2) Managing emotional responses during periods of upset and (3) Leveraging own strengths. Participants highlighted the importance of consistent, neurodivergent-affirming environments, flexible supports, and being genuinely accepted. Autonomy in choosing self-regulation strategies, co-regulation and expressing distress without stigma were key to emotional wellbeing. These findings underscore the value of stable, trusting relationships and the need for predictable routines. Results offer actionable insights for educators, caregivers, and professionals aiming to foster inclusive, emotionally supportive environments for neurodivergent youth.

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Cited bibliography overview

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Cited references
50
With a DOI
40
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
10
6 / 50 (12.0%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
7 / 50 (14.0%)
References with detected author names
45 / 50 (90.0%)
Without detected author names
5
Without a structured title
7
Without a stable identifier
10
References with raw author names still to review
5
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
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
236
From DOI or external metadata
236
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
5
120 / 236 (50.8%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 116 / 236 (49.2%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
13 / 236 (5.5%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 13 / 120 (10.8%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 8 / 175 (4.6%).
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