Interview Data<p>There is ample evidence that childhood adversity
correlates negatively with physical and mental health outcomes across the
lifespan. Resilience results when internal and external protective factors in
childhood mitigate the effects of adversity and mental and physical health
outcomes are improved. However, the phenomena of childhood adversity and
resilience among autistic children are understudied and not well understood. In
this study, we engaged members of the autism community to advise on the
research question, research design, and analysis. Following the engagement
phase, three autistic young women and one nonbinary young adult, aged 19-27,
participated in semi-structured interviews via phone, video conference, and
online chat;. credibility checking interviews followed data analysis. Through
interpretative phenomenological analysis we identified themes related to
negative effects of adversity, including <i>social disconnection</i>, <i>mental
and emotional well-being</i>, <i>sense of self</i>, and <i>development into
young adulthood</i>. Resilience was developed in <i>places of refuge</i> and <i>identity</i>,
and was evident in their <i>transitions into young adulthood</i>. These
findings provide direction for fostering resilience in children and adolescents
on the autism spectrum and planning and implementing mental health supports to
autistic individuals across the lifespan. </p>