A systematic review of the mental health support experiences of late diagnosed autistic adults in the UK

Comerford, L, Ashworth, E ORCID: 0000-0002-5279-4514, Moore, D, Hanlon, C and Hunt, A A systematic review of the mental health support experiences of late diagnosed autistic adults in the UK. Advances in Autism. ISSN 2056-3868 (Accepted)

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Abstract

Originality/Value:While research with autistic people diagnosed in adulthood is growing, they remain an understudied population; few studies have investigated mental health support experiences of late diagnosed autistic adults. Rates of receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood are increasing, particularly among women and gender-diverse populations

Purpose: This systematic review summarized qualitative evidence on the experiences of late diagnosed autistic adults engaging with mental health support in the UK. Methods: Data from 11 studies were analysed using accounts from 206 participants.

Findings: Superordinate themes were: It Felt Like They Didn’t Care: (subthemes: Dismissed & Misunderstood, Harmful, Not Helpful;) Light at the End of the Tunnel (subthemes: Finding What Fits, Listening to Autistic Voices). Participants described frustrating experiences in accessing mental health support both prior to and post diagnosis. Facilitators to positive mental healthcare included autism informed professionals and services that understood autistic people’s needs. Post-diagnostic supports emphasizing a sense of community and self-acceptance were identified as helpful for good mental health outcomes. This review supports the importance of ease of access to autism assessment, appropriate service-wide trainings for mental health professionals and gatekeepers, and the urgent need for timely neuroaffirmative post-diagnostic support for adults receiving a late diagnosis.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	32 Biomedical and clinical sciences; 42 Health sciences; 52 Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	Emerald
Date of acceptance:	11 May 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	27 May 2026
Date Deposited:	27 May 2026 09:56
Last Modified:	27 May 2026 09:56
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28556

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