McCrimmon, AdamBicknell, Chelsea J.2024-09-042024-09-042024-08-31Bicknell, C. J. (2024). Autistic and thriving: self-defined thriving of autistic adults (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.https://hdl.handle.net/1880/119599Much research on the autism spectrum has focused on causal factors, genetics, effective processes of identification, and approaches to intervention. In contrast, much less has explored positive aspects and outcomes associated with autism, such as thriving; the little work on thriving in the autistic community has primarily used methods of parental and teacher report, limiting the voice of the individuals themselves and leaving a gap in knowledge about how those on the autism spectrum can thrive. As a result, little is known about positive outcomes for autistic individuals and how to promote them. This thesis explored how thriving presents and is defined by autistic adults. This study used the Delphi method to allow autistic individuals to express what thriving is for them. Further, it afforded a consensus on what self-defined thriving is to autistic adults, creating direction and foundational knowledge for future studies to elaborate upon. 19 participants completed a broad, open-ended, online questionnaire regarding what thriving means to them; six additional participants then worked collaboratively to sort and create common themes from the responses to the questionnaire. The findings are discussed in context to existing literature and highlighting new knowledge as well as discussion of research implications and suggestions for future explorations.enUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.AutismThrivngself-definedAutsitic AdultsPositive PsychologyEducational PsychologyQualitative ResearchEducational Psychologymaster thesis