Open access article: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13623613261418945
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.
Citation: Simpson, K., Allen, C., Wheeley, E., Pellicano, E., Heyworth, M., den Houting, J., Bowen, R., & Adams, D. (2026). Supporting a ‘good life’ for autistic children: Autistic adults’ and parents’ perspectives. Autism, 0(0).