Retracing the Historical Social Care Context of Autism: A Narrative Overview

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder requiring various levels of social support across the life course. Early cohorts of children first diagnosed as having autism are now middle-aged or older. Needs for support and services, meaningful and accurate information, and acceptance are substantial among both families supporting a person with autism and people with autism themselves. Social awareness and services for people with autism have changed over time; however, there is a paucity of reviews of the social context and services available since autism's 'discovery'. This narrative overview explores historically the social care services available to adults with autism and their families, in the context of changes in societal understanding and awareness of autism over time in England. Such an approach may contribute to understandings of older people with autism who have had a label of autism for many decades or who may have acquired this in later life. Retracing the historical social context and care services for autism contextualises the life course experiences and interactions with social workers of today's adults with autism and their families. This review may assist social workers supporting adults with autism and their families to have a better understanding of service trajectories and why contact with professionals may be or has been varied and inconsistent. The key themes from this narrative review suggest the interconnections between scientific development, social awareness and service provision for individuals with autism and their families and changes in social care over time.