How is a sense of well-being and belonging constructed in the accounts of autistic adults?

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Milton, D. & Sims, T. (2016). How is a sense of well-being and belonging constructed in the accounts of autistic adults? Disability & Society, 31(4), 520-534. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2016.1186529

Publication date: 20 Apr 2016 Added to AutiHub: 6 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
2
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 2 (50.0%)
  1. Damian Milton *
  2. Tara Sims

Abstract

This small-scale exploratory study sought to develop an understanding of the meaning of well-being and social belonging as represented within the narratives of adults on the autism spectrum. Employing an interpretivist approach facilitated the investigation of potential contributory factors to these lived experiences in order to inform further research regarding both this topic, and service provision for adults on the autism spectrum. The project involved a thematic analysis of issues of the magazine Asperger United (AU). Four broad main themes were identified: meeting personal needs, living with the consequences of an ‘othered’ identity, connection and recognition, and relationships and advocacy. Autistic adults reported many barriers to feeling that they belonged in a number of social spaces and the detrimental effect this had on their wellbeing. Fundamental to positive narratives of wellbeing, were feelings of connection and recognition from others and positive accepting relationships, with autistic-led spaces, particularly the Autscape conference, being frequently cited as of central significance in increasing feelings of wellbeing and belonging. This study has demonstrated a need for less focus on remediation and more on limiting the social isolation of autistic people.

Bibliography cited by this reference

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

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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 11:31.

Cited references
38
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
7 / 38 (18.4%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
7 / 50 (14.0%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 7 / 10 (70.0%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 4 / 44 (9.1%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
10 / 50 (20.0%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 6 / 44 (13.6%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
3 / 10 (30.0%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 3 / 50 (6.0%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 2 / 6 (33.3%).
2 cited bibliography entries could not be fully enriched from DOI metadata.
Crossref: not found (1) · DataCite: not found (1)
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