“I wouldn't call it a disorder, it's just that my brain works differently to neurotypical people”: An exploration of how autistic people maintain their well-being and construct mental health support

Abstract

There has been recent movement in research towards a focus on the voice of neurodivergent people and away from applying therapy designed for a neurotypical population. This research uses a qualitative thematic analysis to explore the experiences of autistic people in maintaining and understanding their own well-being, as well as the concept of well-being in a more general sense. The research involved 15 semi-structured interviews with autistic people exploring what autism and well-being means to them, and what activities they do to maintain their well-being. The interviews were transcribed and analysed for themes. Six themes and eighteen sub-themes were developed from coding of these interviews. The six themes included the importance of identity on well-being as an autistic person, empowerment and important capabilities, agency and it’s benefits to well-being, external sources of stress and trauma impacting on wellbeing, need for awareness and understanding, and the relationship of physical care to mental health. These themes stressed the need for applying counselling psychology practice and research through a lens of neurodiversity and a shift to the social model of disability. The themes and applications to further research and counselling psychology practice are discussed, including the importance of working in a neurodiverse affirming manner and moving away from pathologizing autism.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	English
Supervisor	Carmel Conn (Supervisor) & Gina Dolan (Supervisor)