Davies, J;
Matthews, R;
Romualdez, AM;
Pellicano, E;
Remington, A;
(2024)
‘‘Retirement Is One Hell of a Change’’: Autistic People’s Experiences of Retiring.
Autism in Adulthood
10.1089/aut.2023.0155.
(In press).
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Limited research has examined autistic people's experiences of aging. Although the significance of retirement in the context of aging has been highlighted by autistic people themselves, there is a dearth of research in this regard, with only one study focusing on the retirement experiences of one autistic man. METHODS: In this study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with eight older autistic people (mean age = 63 years, range = 56–70 years) who had retired or semi-retired in the past 10 years, and four who were planning to retire in the next 5 years. We aimed to generate some of the first insights regarding autistic people's retirement experiences. We analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Experiences were diverse. Challenges in retirement planning and adjustment were reported by some, whereas others viewed retirement as a positive respite from challenging work environments. The availability of more leisure time was appreciated by some, whereas others encountered ongoing responsibilities and obstacles hindering desired activities. A common theme was the inadequate support available for autistic people during retirement. Concerns about the aging process, including concerns about health decline and the possibility of entering residential care, were also common. CONCLUSION: Future research should examine the suitability of residential care for older autistic adults, consider alternative autistic-led group living arrangements, and explore avenues for improved support during and after the retirement transition.
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