Building Neuro-Inclusive Community, Strengthening Mental Health: The Autism After 21 Utah Project

Over two decades of research shows strong positive relationships are a consistently powerful indicator of wellbeing and resilience. However, the U.S. Surgeon General notes that loneliness and isolation is an epidemic in the U.S., and that it is exacerbated for individuals with physical and mental disabilities as well as those with isolating economic or environmental situations. A recent review shows that many autistic adults in particular face challenges in finding the connections they want and need. They also often have compounding mental health conditions, such as depression and mental illness, lower incomes, isolating home environments due to a lack of resources, and significantly higher incidence of suicide deaths compared to non-autistic adults. However, there is still very little research on autistic adults, especially research that focuses on their wellbeing and that brings in their first-hand perspective.