Adults with Autism Have Numerous Needs, and So Do Their Parents!

Parents of adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face significant challenges, including high vulnerability to stress and a lack of adequate support services. However, there are currently few support systems based on a genuine assessment of their needs. This is particularly true in the French context, where there are delays in supporting families and addressing autism in adulthood. This exploratory study aims to identify the specific needs of parents of adults with ASD, both with and without intellectual disabilities, in order to inform the development of relevant support strategies. Thirty parents of adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) participated in semi-structured interviews. An inductive thematic analysis was performed. Our findings identified five overarching themes of needs, encompassing 13 sub-themes. The analysis also highlighted differences in the nature of reported needs based on whether the autistic adult has an associated intellectual disability. Our results are discussed to propose practical recommendations for formalizing a support offer for parents that takes into account the reality of their needs.