Abstract
Problems with identity development probably aff ect wellbeing in autistic people through camouflaging behavior and associations with self-concept, self-acceptance and meaning of life. To improve our understanding of the process of identity development within autistic people, interviews were conducted with n=14 participants. Participants narrated about how their conceptualization of their ‘self’ had evolved over time, the challenges of subsequently authentically presenting this ‘self' in social settings, the necessities and requirements for fitting in, and their search for meaning. Potential avenues to aid identity development in autistic people include: facilitating learning opportunities, regarding autism as a positive social identity, asserting one’s authentic ‘self’ as a result of mutual trust, and taking concrete actions towards self-realisation. In a follow-up project, these avenues will be combined into an integrated approach bringing together initiatives that aid identity development in autistic/neurodivergent people.
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