Autistic adults face a daily gamble every time they decide whether to tell someone they are autistic. This project will co-design a digital version of a guided self-help programme called ‘Who, When, How to Share’ (WWH2S) to support those decisions. The problem is that disclosure carries real risks—stigma and discrimination—alongside potential benefits like acceptance and understanding. Despite growing evidence that these decisions significantly affect autistic adults’ wellbeing, there is almost no structured, evidence-based support available. The researcher’s pilot study showed that the original WWH2S programme was feasible and acceptable, but participants wanted a digital format to improve accessibility. The programme also needs to be more firmly grounded in behavioural science theory. If successful, this project will produce a tested digital tool that autistic adults can use privately and at their own pace to make informed disclosure decisions. The usability testing will identify practical improvements before scaling up. A follow-on grant application will then explore how the intervention actually changes decision-making processes. The collaboration with a creative organisation experienced in co-designing with neurodivergent communities ensures the final product will be genuinely usable by the people it is meant to help.
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Deciding whether, when, and how to disclose an autism diagnosis or autistic identity is a complex process with potential benefits (e.g., increased understanding and acceptance) and risks (e.g., stigma and discrimination). Despite growing evidence of the significant challenges associated with disclosure and its impact on autistic adults’ wellbeing, there is limited structured, evidence-based support to help autistic adults make informed and strategic disclosure decisions. During my PhD, I developed and piloted ‘Who, When, How to Share’ (WWH2S), a guided self-help programme to support autistic adults in disclosure decision-making. My pilot study found that WWH2S was feasible and acceptable, while participants suggested adapting the programme into a digital format to improve accessibility and engagement. Furthermore, while WWH2S incorporates many behaviour change techniques, it was not explicitly grounded in behavioural science theories. Therefore, the findings of my PhD research on WWH2S suggest that refinement of intervention design and theory is warranted. This fellowship project aims to extend the impact of my doctoral research by: Co-designing a digital version of WWH2S for autistic adults informed by behavioural research, lived expertise, and knowledge exchange. Conducting a small-scale usability test of this digital intervention using think-aloud interviews and post-intervention surveys. Developing a follow-on grant application for a future process evaluation exploring the intervention’s mechanisms of change on a larger scale. I will carry out this project in collaboration with a creative organisation that has strong expertise in co-designing inclusive digital solutions with and for marginalised groups, including neurodivergent communities. My partner organisation mentor will support me in facilitating co-design workshops with autistic adults, digital prototyping, and creating accessible dissemination materials, advancing my ability to translate behavioural research into real-world benefits. Findings from this project will be used to further improve the intervention and optimise usability to support scale-up beyond the fellowship.
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