| Title: |
Supporting a 'Good Life' for Autistic Children: Autistic Adults' and Parents' Perspectives |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Kate Simpson (ORCID 0000-0003-0743-7304); Connie Allen (ORCID 0000-0002-4709-0678); Elizabeth Wheeley; Elizabeth Pellicano (ORCID 0000-0002-7246-8003); Melanie Heyworth (ORCID 0000-0002-9684-3322); Jacquiline den Houting; Rachael Bowen; Dawn Adams (ORCID 0000-0001-8001-0126) |
| Source: |
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2026 30(4):972-982. |
| Availability: |
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
11 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Autism Spectrum Disorders; Quality of Life; Adults; Parents; Children; Interpersonal Relationship; Social Attitudes; Self Determination; Motivation; Environmental Influences; Well Being; Foreign Countries; Peer Acceptance; Interests |
| Geographic Terms: |
Australia |
| DOI: |
10.1177/13623613261418945 |
| ISSN: |
1362-3613; 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: |
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, what helps 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 a sense 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. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1501102 |
| Database: |
ERIC |