“Who I am”: understanding the self-identity process of autism in adults in the UK
Gayle L Overton, Ferran Marsà-Sambola, Rachael Martin, Penny Cavenagh · 2026
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Description
Gayle L Overton and colleagues explore in 2026 how autistic adults in the United Kingdom build a sense of who they are. Twelve adults joined online focus groups, half with a formal diagnosis and half self-identified only. The group also test-read a draft identity scale meant for adult autism assessment in Britain.
Self-identification grew out of lifelong feelings of difference, masking, and being misread by others. For some, naming themselves autistic felt complete on its own. For others it became a step toward formal diagnosis, sought for proof or for access to support. Mental health and identity shaped each other in both directions. Adding identity talk into assessment could make the process feel more personal and fair.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Gayle L Overton, Ferran Marsà-Sambola, Rachael Martin, Penny Cavenagh |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 76 KB |
| VERSION | 1.0 |
| LICENSE | CC BY 4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |