Reconceptualising independence in autistic adulthood: Comparing Chinese parents’ perspectives on autistic adults with and without intellectual disabilities

Achieving independence in adulthood remains a widely held developmental aspiration. However, prevailing frameworks often equate independence with functional proficiency and physical separation from the family, rarely capturing the lived realities and priorities of autistic individuals and their families. This qualitative study represents the first exploration of how families of autistic adults in mainland China understand, support and engage with the concept of independence. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 parents of autistic adults, including individuals both with and without intellectual disabilities. Through reflexive thematic analysis, four interrelated themes were identified: (1) Doing Independence Versus Being Independent; (2) From Aspirations to Reconceptualisations; (3) Invisible Needs and Misrecognised Competence; and (4) Independence as a Relational Process. These findings challenge reductive definitions of independence as mere task completion or detachment from familial support. Instead, they foreground the emotional, relational and cultural dimensions that shape independence across the lifespan. The study highlights how families actively recalibrate expectations, navigate structural constraints and advocate for contextually attuned support. In doing so, it underscores the need to reconceptualise independence as a dynamic, co-constructed process that honours both the individuality of autistic adults and the ecological contexts within which their lives unfold.