Growing-up autistic: Sharing autistic children's experiences and insights

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Limited research exists on autistic children's firsthand experiences.
• Autism research often lacks the perspectives of autistic individuals themselves.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of autistic children.
• To understand their feelings about being autistic in various contexts.
• To identify challenges faced by autistic children.

Main Methods:

• 136 autistic children (mean age 10.35) completed an online questionnaire.
• Data included understanding of autism, feelings about autism, and experienced challenges.
• Reflexive thematic analysis was used for qualitative data.

Main Results:

• Children reported limited knowledge of autism and challenges with self-advocacy.
• Feeling different was common, as was masking autistic traits.
• Home was a sanctuary, while school environments were often unsafe due to peers and teachers, leading to overwhelm and victimization.

Conclusions:

• Autistic children perceive their environments acutely, with significant differences in safety between home and school.
• Educational settings require transformation to become safe spaces for autistic children.
• Findings highlight the need for greater support and understanding of autistic identity and experiences.