Fostering independence in autistic adults: healthcare providers’ perspectives on support for independent living and relationships in Saudi Arabia

Autistic adults may require sustained support to develop daily living skills, participate in community life, and form meaningful relationships. Healthcare providers play an important role in delivering and coordinating such support; however, evidence concerning their perspectives on adult autism services in Saudi Arabia remains limited. This study explored healthcare providers’ views of barriers, community attitudes, and service supports related to independent living and relationship development among autistic adults. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted at the First Autism Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Twenty healthcare providers participated in individual semi-structured interviews, including 10 nurses, 5 psychologists, and 5 social workers. To enhance consistency, a designated researcher conducted all interviews within each professional group. Interviews lasted 30–45 min and were conducted face-to-face or through Microsoft Teams, depending on participant availability. Interviews were conducted in Arabic, audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English, and analyzed thematically. Trustworthiness was enhanced through member checking, peer debriefing, triangulation, and reflexive journaling. Seven themes were identified and organized into three overarching categories: limited community awareness and stigma; insufficient specialized resources supporting independent living and relationship development; and gaps in existing services, including inadequate life-skills training. Participants emphasized the need for structured, culturally responsive programs that promote autonomy, community participation, interpersonal skills, and relationship development. They also highlighted the importance of family engagement, multidisciplinary service coordination, and continuing professional development for healthcare providers. Healthcare providers perceived substantial gaps in adult autism service provision and identified priorities for strengthening service delivery in Saudi Arabia. Adult autism services should incorporate structured life-skills and relationship-support programs, family involvement, multidisciplinary practice, and culturally responsive workforce development. As the study was conducted at one specialized center with a small sample, the findings should be interpreted as context-specific rather than nationally representative. Future multisite research should include autistic adults, family caregivers, and healthcare providers from diverse geographical regions and service settings. Not applicable.