Experiencing Independence: A Qualitative Study with Autistic Adults in India

Background:
Understanding independence in autism requires a nuanced exploration of how developmental challenges intersect with socio-cultural factors. There is a lack of research exploring how autistic adults in the Global South, including India, understand and experience independence. In this study, we examined independence as a culturally situated, participant-defined construct shaped by autistic lived experience and Indian sociocultural contexts. We aimed to deepen understanding of the ways in which Indian autistic adults conceptualize independence, the barriers they encounter, and the coping strategies they develop to experience independence.

Methods:
We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 purposively sampled autistic adults in India. We analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis following an inductive, iterative approach to develop themes from participants’ narratives.

Results:
Three themes captured autistic adults’ lived experiences of independence. Aspirations of independence described independence as an interplay between embracing courage, exercising self-determination, and demonstrating psychological resilience. “Independence cannot be easily achieved/attained” reflected on navigating a society that often overlooks neurodiversity, which makes achieving independence particularly challenging. Navigating independence through support and self-advocacy highlighted how participants actively managed their independence by drawing on external support and advocating for their needs.

Conclusions:
Our findings provide a foundation for developing culturally responsive frameworks to support independence among autistic adults in India. Key implications for practitioners and policymakers involve designing contextually grounded interventions and addressing systemic barriers.