“I’m not feeling alone in my experiences”: How newly diagnosed autistic adults engage with a neurodiversity-affirming “Welcome Pack”

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Edwards, C., Love, A. M., Cai, R. Y., Heyworth, M., Johnston, A., Aldridge, F., & Gibbs, V. (2025). “I’m not feeling alone in my experiences”: How newly diagnosed autistic adults engage with a neurodiversity-affirming “Welcome Pack”. Autism, 29(8), 2072-2083. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613251335070

Publication date: 25 Apr 2025 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
7
Publication authors identified as autistic
2 / 7 (28.6%)
  1. Chris Edwards *
  2. Abigail M.A. Love
  3. Ru Ying Cai
  4. Melanie Heyworth *
  1. Alexandra Johnston
  2. Fiona Aldridge
  3. Vicki Gibbs

Abstract

Receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood can be profoundly transformative, yet many newly diagnosed autistic adults experience a lack of accessible, affirming post-diagnostic support. This study explores how a self-guided, neurodiversity-affirming resource-the "Welcome Pack"-supports newly diagnosed autistic adults in navigating their evolving identity. Using a qualitative approach, we recruited 11 autistic adults without intellectual disability in Australia who had received a diagnosis within the past 6 months. Participants engaged with the "Welcome Pack" over a 2-month period before taking part in semi-structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis generated four key themes: (1) a sense of belonging through community and representation, as participants found validation in shared narratives; (2) the "Welcome Pack" as one of many tools supporting their self-understanding; (3) emotional reflections, including both relief and grief over years of masking; and (4) challenges in self-advocacy and educating others. While participants described the "Welcome Pack" as an important and validating resource, they also highlighted the need for additional structured peer support and practical guidance. These findings underscore the value of integrating self-guided resources within broader post-diagnostic ecosystems, ensuring that newly diagnosed autistic adults receive timely, accessible, and neurodiversity-affirming support as they navigate their identity.Lay Abstract.

Bibliography cited by this reference

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Bibliography inclusion overview

These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:30.

Cited references
36
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
8 / 36 (22.2%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
11 / 179 (6.1%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 11 / 107 (10.3%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 7 / 136 (5.1%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
107 / 179 (59.8%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 65 / 136 (47.8%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
96 / 107 (89.7%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 96 / 179 (53.6%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 58 / 65 (89.2%).
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