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Abstract
Ten women with autism spectrum disorder participated in oral interviews in order to
share their experiences since their diagnosis and to discuss the factors that had
enabled them to achieve success in different aspects of their life. Participants were
encouraged to share their perspectives on their success and to discuss the challenges
they encountered in their daily lives and how they overcame these. Interviews were
analysed using a narrative-themed approach. Participants indicated that both internal
and external factors enabled them to achieve success in different aspects of their
lives. These included being an agent of change, a changed identity after diagnosis,
experiencing the belief of others in their capability and seeing themselves as a mentor
to others. Their experiences with overcoming obstacles in their lives enabled them
to develop self-efficacy and to shape their own success.