'Are they just gonna reject me?' Male adolescents with autism making sense of anxiety: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Themes highlight participants' sensitivity and vulnerability in their unique struggle during this time of adolescence, as well as their resilience and resourcefulness in navigating this. A compassionate response is required from health and education professionals, which considers these young people's human need to feel socially connected, which is sensitive to the way that support is provided, and perhaps makes greater use of creative means of intervention (such as involving fantasy and role-play).