Presence Without Belonging: A Conceptual Analysis of Loneliness in Autism

Abstract

Loneliness is widely reported among autistic adults and is associated with adverse mental health outcomes. However, loneliness in autism is often framed as a consequence of social isolation, reduced social motivation, or individual social difficulty. This article argues that these framings—while consistent with general loneliness models—overlook a central feature of autistic loneliness: it frequently occurs amid ongoing social participation. Drawing on belonging theory, neurodiversity scholarship, epistemic justice, minority stress, and broader loneliness frameworks, this conceptual analysis introduces the Presence Without Belonging (PWB) framework. PWB distinguishes social presence from belonging and identifies three conditions required for belonging: recognition (being understood and taken seriously as a social subject), access (participation without extraordinary communicative, sensory, or temporal effort), and sustainability (participation that can be maintained over time without disproportionate cumulative cost). When one or more conditions are absent, participation may persist without belonging, producing loneliness despite contact. By reframing loneliness as a relational and structural outcome rather than an individual deficit, this analysis provides a foundation for more precise measurement, more accurate clinical formulation, and more responsible approaches to inclusion.