Factors Supporting A “Good Life” For Autistic Children: Autistic Adults’ And Parents’ Perspectives

Kate Simpson; Connie Allen; Elizabeth Wheeley; Elizabeth Pellicano; Melanie  Heyworth; Jacquiline  den Houting; Rachael  Bowen; Dawn Adams

doi:10.31219/osf.io/zn5g8

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Factors Supporting A “Good Life” For Autistic Children: Autistic Adults’ And Parents’ Perspectives

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Factors Supporting A “Good Life” For Autistic Children: Autistic Adults’ And Parents’ Perspectives

Kate Simpson, Connie Allen, Elizabeth Wheeley, Elizabeth Pellicano, Melanie Heyworth, Jacquiline den Houting, Rachael Bowen and Dawn Adams

OSF Preprints, Vol.4 October 2024

Centre for Open Science

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/zn5g8

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Abstract

quality of life

well-being

autism

autistic children

qualitative

There has been limited research into what helps to promote autistic children’s quality of life. This qualitative study, co-produced with autistic people, aimed to identify, from multiple perspectives, the factors that help autistic children to live a “good life”. We conducted semi-structured interviews with autistic adults (n = 28) and parents of autistic children (n = 29). Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified four themes: Being accepted by others in a way that allows the child to be themselves;Finding “the things that light [the child]”; Having asense of control over their own life; and Physical/sensory environments matter. All themes were common to both autistic adults and parents of autistic children, with the exception of one sub-theme, which was predominantly driven by autistic adults’ responses. These findings highlight potential pathways to support autistic children’s quality of life now and into the future.

Details

Title: Factors Supporting A “Good Life” For Autistic Children: Autistic Adults’ And Parents’ Perspectives
Authors: Kate Simpson (Corresponding Author) - Griffith University
Connie Allen - Griffith University
Elizabeth Wheeley - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Education and Tertiary Access
Elizabeth Pellicano - Macquarie University
Melanie Heyworth - Macquarie University
Jacquiline den Houting - Macquarie University
Rachael Bowen
Dawn Adams - Griffith University
Publication details: OSF Preprints, Vol.4 October 2024
Publisher: Centre for Open Science
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/zn5g8
Grant note: This work was funded by Medical Research Future Fund grant number 2022/MRF2016147.
Organisation Unit: School of Education and Tertiary Access
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991171942102621
Output Type: Preprint

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