We often hear about social isolation and how it can affect people throughout their lives; how it might impact someone’s mental health; their ability to meet people; and how it could limit their access to vital help and support.

But, until now, we haven’t had a clear understanding about what social isolation means for autistic people in Wales and the specific challenges that they face as a result of being isolated.

National Autistic Society Cymru has received a Sustainable Social Services Grant to carry out and utilise this research to develop peer support opportunities for autistic adults in Wales. This Welsh Government funded research highlights encouraging solutions to these issues and autistic people are at the centre of providing them.

We now know that autistic people are eight times more likely to be chronically lonely than the general population of Wales. 

We also know from the research that 82% of people surveyed would like to take part in peer support opportunities and one in six people would like to lead their own peer-led activities.

 Report findings:

• Autistic adults in Wales are six times more likely to report low life satisfaction compared with Office for National Statistics (ONS) data from the general population
• 89% of respondents feel socially isolated now or previously
• Eight times as many autistic adults in Wales report feeling chronically lonely (often or always) compared with ONS data for the general Welsh population

Read the full English and Welsh language reports below: