An Area for Expansion for Peer Support: Support for Adults with Autism

The recognition of autism has grown dramatically over recent years, with an 800% increase in diagnosis since 1990.  Much of this recognition is of autism in adults, and much of it involves people who have autism but who do not have an intellectual deficit.

Last year, researchers published a review of all of the studies focus on services provided to adults diagnosed with autism in the United Kingdom, and the outcome of those services (Norris, Harvey, & Hull, 2025).  The researchers found and reviewed 19 studies that examined these services.  Most focused on the most common intervention:  a simple service that provided newly diagnosed adults with a single session of basic education and referral.  Most respondents reported that these services were not helpful.  Receiving a new diagnosis of autism as an adult was described as challenging and disorienting and people felt they needed much more than simple education. 

Some of the interventions that were viewed as most helpful involved peer support and mutual education.  This included clinical services like vocational rehabilitation with integrated peer support, and psychoeducation that included peer support.  Respondents talked about the value of having specialized programming, like “autism hubs” where people with autism meet and support each other in their efforts to build a full life. 

The findings noted in this study are not surprising. There is a common pattern here, also noted with people with psychiatric disorders and even many medical disorders.  The traditional healthcare system response is not fully helpful, and people would like more opportunity for peer support that is integrated with the other services.  It is no surprise that people who feel misunderstood and feel that they don’t really understand themselves, want to talk with others with the same problem.  Mutual education and a sense of being understood is a clear need that existing programs don’t really address.  What is remarkable about this paper is that it clearly documents the need and value of peer support in this very large group of people who have not been the focus of discussion around peer support in the past.

These data suggest that we need an organized effort to build new services for adults with autism spectrum disorders – services that have peer support integrated throughout the programming.  The authors suggest that the services should be designed at least in part by adults with autism who understand the needs and experiences of other adults dealing with this common challenge.  Such an undertaking will require a large effort, both within the healthcare/social service system and among community organizations and advocates.

Norris, J. E., Harvey, R., & Hull, L. (2025). Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis. Autism, 29(2), 284-309.