The autistic experience of homelessness: Implications from a narrative enquiry.

This study talked to 10 autistic people about their experiences of being homeless. They found that autistic people often couldn't get help from housing services because workers didn't understand autism or thought their autism wasn't 'severe enough'. Many struggled in homeless shelters due to noise, crowds, and lack of routine. Some chose to sleep rough rather than stay in overwhelming environments.

The research shows housing services need better autism training and should listen to autistic people about what changes would help most.

This narrative inquiry explored the lived experiences of 10 autistic adults who experienced homelessness in Australia. Participants described pathways into homelessness including rough sleeping and sofa surfing. Key barriers to accessing support included service workers lacking autism awareness and autism not being considered 'severe enough' for assistance. Participants faced significant challenges in homelessness hostels due to overcrowding, confrontation, and lack of environmental control, with some choosing street homelessness over sensory-overwhelming accommodation.

The study highlights the need for autism-aware housing services, recognition of complex needs, and meaningful consultation with autistic people with lived experience to improve service accessibility and engagement.

Housing and homelessness services require autism awareness training and modified practices to accommodate sensory and social needs. Services should involve autistic people with lived experience in service design. Assessment criteria may need review to ensure autistic people aren't excluded from support based on perceived severity.

Small sample size (n=10) limits generalizability. Narrative inquiry methodology provides rich qualitative data but cannot establish prevalence or causation. Study design and recruitment methods not clearly described in abstract. Findings may not represent all autistic people experiencing homelessness.

Recent research suggests many autistic people experience homelessness. However, little is known about the types of homelessness autistic people experience and what barriers autistic people face when trying to exit homelessness. This study involved gathering life stories of autistic people who had experienced homelessness. Ten autistic participants talked about their pathways through homelessness and the difficulties they had in accessing support.

After first becoming homeless, participants tended to experience rough sleeping and sofa surfing. When participants approached housing and homelessness services, they were often told they were not eligible for support. This could happen when support workers were not aware of autism, or when autism was not considered 'severe' enough. Overcrowding, confrontation and lack of control over routine and environment were particular issues for participants when they entered homelessness hostels.

Some participants chose to sleep on the streets rather than stay in environments which increased social anxiety and sensory difficulties. This study discusses ways in which homelessness and housing services can increase accessibility and improve engagement for autistic people. It is important to increase awareness of autism while understanding that autistic people who experience homelessness may have complex needs. In addition, services need to listen to autistic people with lived experience of homelessness to decide what changes will have the most impact.