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Lockwood Estrin G, Aseervatham V, De Barros CM, Chapple T, Churchard A, Harper M, Jones EJH, Mandy W, Milner V, O’Brien S, Senju A, Smith C, Smith J. Homelessness in autistic women: Defining the research agenda. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 18:17455057221141291. [PMID: 36515431 PMCID: PMC9756367 DOI: 10.1177/17455057221141291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current evidence suggests that autistic individuals are at high risk for becoming and remaining in a cycle of homelessness. Key risk factors for homelessness disproportionately affect autistic people; however, we have limited understanding of how to best support autistic individuals accessing services. This gap in the evidence base is particularly acute for autistic women. OBJECTIVE As a first step to address this gap, we aimed to (1) map gaps in knowledge and practice; (2) identify priority areas for research and (3) develop recommendations for how to implement novel research and practice in this area. METHODS We conducted a collaborative workshop with an interdisciplinary group of 26 stakeholders to address our aims. Stakeholders included autistic women with experience of homelessness, researchers, health professionals, NGO representatives, and service providers. RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Two research priority areas were identified to map the prevalence and demographics of autistic women experiencing homelessness, and to delineate risk and protective factors for homelessness. Priority areas for improving provision of support included staff training to improve communication, awareness of autism and building trust with service providers, and recommendations for practical provision of support by services. CONCLUSIONS Future research is critical to increase our knowledge of the pathways leading to homelessness for autistic women, and barriers to engaging with homelessness and social services. We need to use this knowledge to develop new ways of delivering targeted and inclusive support for autistic women, which could prevent or shorten periods of homelessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Lockwood Estrin
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK,School of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK,Georgia Lockwood Estrin, School of Psychology, University of East London, London, E16 2RD UK.
| | | | | | | | - Alasdair Churchard
- Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Research, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Emily JH Jones
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - William Mandy
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Victoria Milner
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah O’Brien
- Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Atsushi Senju
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK,Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | | | - Jonathan Smith
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
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