Research has shown that some neurodivergent people find it helpful to have support from neurodivergent peers, as they are the experts on their own experience. When individuals with shared experiences support each other, we can call this peer support.
Peer support is not a new concept. Many schools have run peer support models in the past where neurodivergent young people have been ‘buddied up’ with a neurotypical peer. However, often the goal of this is to help the neurodivergent person ‘learn’ neurotypical ‘social norms’.
NEST (NEurodivergent peer Support Toolkit) | Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre
Post-Diagnostic Peer Support
A 2025 systematic review of post-diagnostic support for autistic adults in the UK synthesised 19 studies and found peer support to be one of the most consistently desired and impactful forms of support across the evidence base, despite no studies having directly evaluated peer-support programmes as a primary intervention.
Peer support was a theme common to most studies, with support groups being desired by autistic people, and with significant impacts arising from the support of like-minded individuals.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
While not directly evaluated, peer support emerges as a critical aspect of other post-diagnostic support methods to autistic adults.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
Validating Experiences and Processing Diagnosis
Many thought that peer support would lessen the difficulties of processing the diagnosis by validating their experiences.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), citing Crompton et al. (2022), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
Most felt that spending time with other autistic people in a peer support setting would have been beneficial in understanding oneself and validating their experiences.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), citing Crompton et al. (2022), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
Support from other autistic people was significant in reducing feelings of being an ‘outsider’; finally feeling comfortable, understood, and ‘a part of something’, in many instances, for the first time.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), citing Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care (2022), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
Universality: Being in the Same Boat
A common thread in the experiences of older autistic adults (aged 50+) was the importance of universality; being ‘in the same boat’.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), citing Hickey et al. (2018), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
The importance of acceptance and universality of experience was mentioned by most participants: ‘you’re accepted’ and felt they did not have to hide, as they were ‘in the same boat’. Attending autism groups allowed certain experiences to be normalised, removing shame.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), citing Hickey et al. (2018), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
Participants appreciated interaction with like-minded peers and acknowledged preferring socialising with other autistic individuals who ‘understand you better’.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), citing McConkey et al. (2021), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
Less Masking, More Confidence
Autistic people reported more comfortable relationships with other autistic individuals, with a lessened feeling of the need to mask, thereby improving self-perceived confidence and communication skills.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
Relationships with other autistic individuals were easier and more comfortable, with less need to mask.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), citing Crompton et al. (2022), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
Peer Knowledge Over Structured Programming
Knowledge sharing helped to formulate coping strategies, with some considering sharing with peers to be more critical than the structured educational components of psychoeducation.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), citing Crane et al. (2021), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
Peer-led support was also seen as more authentic by participants, resulting in a more positive experience of engaging with support overall.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), citing Hull et al. (2024), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
Autistic-Led, with Honesty About What That Requires
The preference was for autistic-led peer support. However, individuals acknowledged that being autistic does not inherently provide the knowledge or skills necessary for the role, and that this requires training and/or experience.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
Autistic adults consistently reported greater ease in communicating with other autistic peers. While communication difficulties define an autism diagnosis, recent evidence has shown that peer-to-peer information transfer among autistic people can be highly efficient, suggesting that post-diagnostic support co-produced and led by autistic people may provide benefits.
Norris, Harvey & Hull (2025), Post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed with autism in adulthood in the UK: A systematic review with narrative synthesis
There was also a call throughout the review for autistic-led post-diagnostic support more broadly — “to provide better understanding, highlight the strengths of being autistic, and to offer positive role models” (Norris, Harvey & Hull, 2025). Autistic adults desired peer support not as a substitute for specialist services such as mental health support, but working alongside them.
