Supporting Newly Identified or Diagnosed Autistic Adults: An Initial Evaluation of an Autistic-Led Programme

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

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Crane, L., Hearst, C., Ashworth, M., Davies, J., & Hill, E. L. (2020). Supporting Newly Identified or Diagnosed Autistic Adults: An Initial Evaluation of an Autistic-Led Programme. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(3), 892-905. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04486-4

Publication date: 7 Apr 2020 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) Full text OpenAlex source

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Authors

Publication authors
5
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 5 (20.0%)
  1. Laura Crane
  2. Caroline Hearst *
  3. Maria Ashworth
  4. Jade Davies
  5. Elisabeth L. Hill

Abstract

Sixteen adults (diagnosed or self-identified as autistic) participated in one of two iterations of a ten-week autistic-led programme, aimed at helping autistic adults learn more about autism within a peer group context. Motivations for taking part in the programme included a desire for: (1) exploration of autism; (2) empowerment; and (3) the development of practical strategies and coping mechanisms. Interviews were conducted upon completion of the programme and again 6 months later. Using thematic analysis, three themes were identified: (1) appreciation of the autistic-led nature of the programme; (2) unity in diversity; and (3) developing a positive, practical outlook on autism. These promising initial results highlight the value of autistic-led peer support for those recently diagnosed/identified as autistic.

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 11:54.

Cited references
39
With a DOI
31
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
6
8 / 39 (20.5%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
5 / 39 (12.8%)
References with detected author names
36 / 39 (92.3%)
Without detected author names
3
Without a structured title
5
Without a stable identifier
6
References with raw author names still to review
3
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
160
From DOI or external metadata
160
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
3
94 / 160 (58.8%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 66 / 160 (41.2%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
12 / 160 (7.5%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 12 / 94 (12.8%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 12 / 129 (9.3%).
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