DOCSLIB.ORG

Voice and Identity in the Autistic Space of the Blogosphere

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Voice and Identity in the Autistic Space of the Blogosphere This document is downloaded from DR‑NTU (https://dr.ntu.edu.sg) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Voice and identity in the autistic space of the blogosphere Seidmann, Vered 2018 Seidmann, V. (2018). Voice and identity in the autistic space of the blogosphere. Doctoral thesis, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. http://hdl.handle.net/10356/73378 https://doi.org/10.32657/10356/73378 Nanyang Technological University Downloaded on 26 Sep 2021 16:42:42 SGT OF VOICE AND IDENTITY IN THE AUTISTIC SPACE THE BLOGOSPHERE THE VOICE AND IDENTITY IN THE AUTISTIC SPACE OF THE BLOGOSPHERE VERED SEIDMANN VERED SEIDMANN WEE KIM WEE SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION 201 2018 8 i | Page VOICE AND IDENTITY IN THE AUTISTIC SPACE OF THE BLOGOSPHERE VERED SEIDMANN Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information A thesis submitted to the Nanyang Technological University in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2018 Supervisor: Associate Professor Jung Younbo ii | Page ABSTRACT The goal of this study is to explore how autistic identity is constructed through blogs, and, more broadly, to show how communication theory can provide new ways of looking at the communication behaviors of autistic persons in the autistic space of the blogosphere. This study was guided by the following three questions: (1) How do autistic people structure their identity as bloggers and how do they negotiate their identity through their blogs? (2) What does autistic identity mean to bloggers? (3) What are the underlying constructs of autistic identity? To address these questions, a grounded theory approach was applied to organize the main data collection, which included intensive face-to-face interviews, email interviews with bloggers and textual analysis of 2,873 blog posts with more than 10,000 pages of blog pages from 16 blogs authored by bloggers in Australia, Israel, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States of America. Three main autistic-identity constructs emerged from the data: autism diagnosis, autistic agency and normality. Normality was found to be at the heart of a dialectic negotiation with the social world: rejection of the neurotypical perception of normality and adoption of autistic identity as identity of difference. Autistic diagnosis was found to be a formative construct for autistic identity. Autistic agency was found to be at the core of autistic identity, while self-stimulation- related behaviors were found to be at the core of the perception of autistic identity. Overall, the study’s findings demonstrate that the Internet has revolutionized the ability of autistic persons to communicate, create communities, promote social change through activism and communicate with the non-autistic world. In particular, the Internet has played a crucial role in the emergence of an international autistic community as well as the shaping of autistic identity at both iii | Page the community and individual level. The personal space of the blog provides an arena in which autistic persons can explore their autistic selves and negotiate their identity with followers and the social world. Blogs create a safe space in which autistic persons can redefine themselves using their own voice and construct an identity as an individual and member of a community. In this light, the Internet and blogging in particular are radically reshaping contemporary thinking about autism, moving away from the biomedical conceptualization of autism as "deficiency" or "deficit" toward a socio-cultural view of autism as a manifestation of neurodiversity. The study offers several contributions to our evolving understanding of autistic identity. First, this is one of the first studies to explore autistic identity in the blogosphere, as previous communication studies focused on community platforms such as forums, chatrooms and community websites. Second, ground in communication theory, and in particular the work of Manuel Castells and James Carey, this study provides a conceptual framework that helps explain the roles the Internet and social media play in evolutions of autistic identity. Finally, the study demonstrates that communication approaches provide an important basis for investigating identity negotiation processes with the social world through blogging. iv | Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my advisors for giving me the opportunity to pursue my graduate studies. To Dr Jung Younbo, who introduced me to the use of communication theories in autism- related research and to great possibilities in my scholarly work; and to Dr Natalie Pang, for fruitful discussions that enabled my scholarly work and opened new intellectual doors for me, particularly in the area of communication and social change. I also would like to thank the participants of the study for opening my eyes, forcing me to self-reflect on many assumptions I took for granted and to challenge me intellectually. During the research, I met wonderful people and learned a lot about communication, about greater varieties of social interactions and about friendship. I would like to express my gratitude to Nanyang Technological University for providing me a scholarship to support my graduate degree, and to the faculty, students and staff who made it possible for me to pursue a degree in an area so close to my heart. Finally, I would like to thank my husband, Chuck, and my son Nick, for providing emotional and intellectual support throughout my research. This thesis is dedicated to my mother, Michal, and my late father, David. I would have not been who I am without their love, support, values and intellectual curiosity. v | Page TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ v PROLOGUE ................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 14 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 14 1.1. Studying Online Autistic Identity Construction ............................................................. 18 CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................... 23 ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF AUTISM ............................................ 23 2.1. The Biomedical Approach ............................................................................................. 23 2.2. The Anthropological Approach to Autism Theories and Research ............................... 30 2.3. Disability Studies: The Social and Affirmation Models ................................................ 32 2.3.1. Social Model of Disability ...................................................................................... 34 2.3.2. The Affirmative Model of Disabilities ................................................................... 35 CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................................... 38 EVOLUTION OF AUTISTIC IDENTITY VIA AUTISTIC CULTURE, NEURODIVERSITY MOVEMENT AND ONLINE AUTISTIC COMMUNITIES ..................................................... 38 3.1. Autistic Culture .............................................................................................................. 38 3.2. Neurodiversity and the Rise of the Neurodiversity Movement ...................................... 42 3.3. Neurodiversity and Autistic Identity .............................................................................. 46 3.4. Internet and Autism ........................................................................................................ 49 3.5. Internet and Autistic Culture .......................................................................................... 52 CHAPTER FOUR ......................................................................................................................... 54 COMMUNICATION APPROACHES, AUTISTIC IDENTITY AND BLOGS ......................... 54 4.1. Three Approaches to Study of Autism Communication ................................................ 55 4.1.1. Cultural Approach to Communication .................................................................... 55 4.1.2. Convergence and Participatory Cultures ................................................................ 58 vi | Page 4.1.3. Network Society and Sociality................................................................................ 59 4.2. Contributions of the Internet to Autistic Culture & Identity Development ................... 64 4.2.1. Affordances, Autism and Identity ........................................................................... 64 4.3. Collective Individualism: Bloggers and Community ..................................................... 67 4.4. The Autistic Space ......................................................................................................... 70 4.5. Blogging the Autistic Self: On Voice, Exploration and Identity ................................... 76 CHAPTER FIVE .........................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Editorial: Pride and Autism Spectrum Disorder
    EDITORIAL: PRIDE AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER June 14, 2019 Tuesday June 18 is Autistic Pride Day and every April, thanks to National Autism Awareness Month, there’s a renewed sense of support for people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and those who’ve worked tirelessly to foster environments of inclusion and self-determination for all. Yet, when Autism Awareness Month comes to an end, so too does much of the focus on autism from the general public. As a society, we’ve made positive strides, but it’s important to remember that the conversations about acceptance, inclusion and support for people with ASD need to happen year-round. Today Autistic Pride Day is about celebrating differences in the autism community and realizing people’s infinite possibilities and potential. People with autism have hopes, dreams, aspirations, and a right to participate in the working world. Unfortunately, people with ASD are not afforded the same opportunities as the rest of us when it comes to employment. While the majority of Americans are enjoying a low unemployment rate and strong economy, the unemployment rate for adults with developmental disabilities remains high. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 29 percent of Americans ages 16 to 64 with a disability were employed as of June 2018, compared with nearly 75 percent of those without a disability. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities who are actively seeking work is 9.2 percent — more than twice as high as for those without a disability (4.2 percent). Employers’ lack of understanding and lasting stigmas are partly to blame for this discrepancy.
    [Show full text]
  • INTERNET and AUTISM: the Reflection of Communication Experiences in Narrative Practices
    CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Göteborgs universitets publikationer - e-publicering och e-arkiv DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SPECIAL EDUCATION INTERNET AND AUTISM: The reflection of communication experiences in narrative practices Ekaterina Boytsova Master in Education: 30 hp Program: International Master in Educational Research Level: Advanced level Term: Spring term 2015 Superviser: Eva Hjörne Examiner: Ernst Thoutenhoofd Report number: VT15 IPS PDA184:6 Acknowledgements I would like to express my gratitude to all the respondents who devoted their time to take part in this study. I would also like to thank my supervisor Eva Hjörne at the Department of Education and Special Education at the University of Gothenburg for her inspiring approach and valuable comments. Gothenburg, May 19, 2015. Abstract. Background: Perspectives of Internet use among students with ASD are not a clearly investigated field although positive results in mainstream schools are already received. Multiple pieces of research have shown that computer technology facilitates a broader range of educational activities to meet a variety of needs for students with mild learning disorders, and adaptive technology can enable students with severe disabilities to become active learners in the classroom alongside their peers who do not have disabilities. The aim of this study is to understand and describe representation and perception of online communication by persons with ASD via their postings in blogs and online survey. The role of Internet, the importance of ICT in education and the relation between online and offline communication are in the focus of the study. Although the use of technologies in education and everyday routines is not wide-spread due to high costs and teachers’ lack of training in applying modern technologies in the classroom, the results of this study reveal the importance of applying ICT in everyday life for people with autism.
    [Show full text]
  • Fil-B /Advisory Committee Co
    Reading Comprehension Strategies In Children With High- Functioning Autism: A Social Constructivist Perspective Item Type Thesis Authors Cotter, June Ann Download date 26/09/2021 17:04:41 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/11122/9075 READING COMPREHENSION STRATEGIES IN CHILDREN WITH HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM: A SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVIST PERSPECTIVE By June Ann Cotter RECOMMENDED: £> P \ - I V v^jQ JL-V% lh -i> Advisory Committee Chair a . fil-b /Advisory Committee Co Chair, Department of Communication APPROVED: Dean, College of Liberal Arts / r Dean of the Graduate School Date READING COMPREHENSION STRATEGIES IN CHILDREN WITH HIGH- FUNCTIONING AUTISM: A SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVIST PERSPECTIVE A DISSERTATION Presented to the Faculty of the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY By June Ann Cotter, MSEd. Fairbanks, Alaska May 2011 © 2011 June Ann Cotter UMI Number: 3463936 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMT Dissertation Publishing UMI 3463936 Copyright 2011 by ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This edition of the work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. uestA ® ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Abstract Individuals with autism see the world, by definition of the diagnosis, in a very different way than the typical student.
    [Show full text]
  • Communication Shutdown’ Launched to Engage Social Media Users to Shut Their Networks for a Day on Nov 1 2010, in Support of a Good Cause
    4.5 Billion Social Media Users worldwide & over 33 million social media users in India to support the cause of Autism ‘Communication Shutdown’ launched to engage social media users to shut their networks for a day on Nov 1 2010, in support of a good cause New Delhi, October 4, 2010‐ One day without Social Networking‐ Can you brave it? On Nov 1, 2010, citizens around the world will become part of, ‘Communication Shutdown’, a global initiative extended across 40 countries to create awareness and raise funds for charity for Autism. Through this initiative, people around the world have been challenged to go without Facebook or Twitter, for one day. Social communication is one of the biggest challenges for people with autism. By choosing to shutdown their social networks for one day, users will have some idea of what it’s like for people with autism who face this challenge every day. The Communication Shutdown campaign encourages Facebook and Twitter users to make a donation and receive a charity app or (CHAPP) that will signal their support and intention to boycott their social networking accounts on 1 November. ComScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), has released a August 2010 report on traffic to Social Networking sites in India, revealing that India has over 33 million social network users and globally more than two thirds of the world’s population stay connected through networks like Facebook and Twitter. As people become more reliant on these channels to communicate worldwide, the Communication Shutdown fundraising campaign will also serve as a social experiment on social media habits.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cerebral Subject and the Challenge of Neurodiversity
    BioSocieties (2009), 4, 425–445 ª London School of Economics and Political Science doi:10.1017/S1745855209990287 The Cerebral Subject and the Challenge of Neurodiversity Francisco Ortega Institute for Social Medicine, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua Saˇ o Francisco Xavier 524, Rio de Janeiro CEP 20550-900, Brazil E-mail: [email protected] Abstract The neurodiversity movement has so far been dominated by autistic people who believe their condition is not a disease to be treated and, if possible, cured, but rather a human specificity (like sex or race) that must be equally respected. Autistic self-advocates largely oppose groups of parents of autistic children and professionals searching for a cure for autism. This article discusses the posi- tions of the pro-cure and anti-cure groups. It also addresses the emergence of autistic cultures and various issues concerning autistic identities. It shows how identity issues are frequently linked to a ‘neurological self-awareness’ and a rejection of psychological interpretations. It argues that the preference for cerebral explanations cannot be reduced to an aversion to psychoanalysis or psychological culture. Instead, such preference must be understood within the context of the dif- fusion of neuroscientific claims beyond the laboratory and their penetration in different domains of life in contemporary biomedicalized societies. Within this framework, neuroscientific theories, prac- tices, technologies and therapies are influencing the ways we think about ourselves and relate to others, favoring forms of neurological or cerebral subjectivation. The article shows how neuroscien- tific claims are taken up in the formation of identities, as well as social and community networks.
    [Show full text]
  • The Joy of Autism: Part 2
    However, even autistic individuals who are profoundly disabled eventually gain the ability to communicate effectively, and to learn, and to reason about their behaviour and about effective ways to exercise control over their environment, their unique individual aspects of autism that go beyond the physiology of autism and the source of the profound intrinsic disabilities will come to light. These aspects of autism involve how they think, how they feel, how they express their sensory preferences and aesthetic sensibilities, and how they experience the world around them. Those aspects of individuality must be accorded the same degree of respect and the same validity of meaning as they would be in a non autistic individual rather than be written off, as they all too often are, as the meaningless products of a monolithically bad affliction." Based on these extremes -- the disabling factors and atypical individuality, Phil says, they are more so disabling because society devalues the atypical aspects and fails to accommodate the disabling ones. That my friends, is what we are working towards -- a place where the group we seek to "help," we listen to. We do not get offended when we are corrected by the group. We are the parents. We have a duty to listen because one day, our children may be the same people correcting others tomorrow. In closing, about assumptions, I post the article written by Ann MacDonald a few days ago in the Seattle Post Intelligencer: By ANNE MCDONALD GUEST COLUMNIST Three years ago, a 6-year-old Seattle girl called Ashley, who had severe disabilities, was, at her parents' request, given a medical treatment called "growth attenuation" to prevent her growing.
    [Show full text]
  • Gyvūnai Autistiškų Žmonių Gyvenime – Nuo Draugų Iki Terapeutų Kaip Kalbėti Su Vaikais Apie Autizmą?
    Spalis lietaus vaikai 2020 / NR. 9 Lietuvos autizmo asociacijos žurnalas GYVŪNAI AUTISTIŠKŲ ŽMONIŲ GYVENIME – NUO DRAUGŲ IKI TERAPEUTŲ KAIP KALBĖTI SU VAIKAIS APIE AUTIZMĄ? IŠŠŪKIŲ KELIANTĮ ELGESĮ LEMIA SAUGUMO TRŪKUMAS lietaus vaikai 2020 / Nr. 9 1 TURINYS Neuroįvairovės revoliucija 3–5 Žurnalas Diana Romanskaitė „Lietaus vaikai“ ISSN 2669-1825 Janne Fredikssonas: „Autistiškiems 6–7 Vyriausioji redaktorė asmenims itin svarbu ginti savo teises“ Barbora Suisse Kristina Košel-Patil [email protected] +370 698 00803 Iššūkius keliančio elgesio autistiški Projekto vadovė 8–9 vaikai ir jaunuoliai lieka be pagalbos Kristina Košel-Patil Julija Dargienė [email protected] +370 609 41420 Mokyklai einant įtraukties keliu, Redaktorė Sigita Bertulienė 10–11 svarbiausia bendruomenės požiūris Kristina Košel-Patil Dizainerė Inesa Gervė Kaip kalbėti su vaikais apie autizmą? Spaustuvė 12–13 Julija Dargienė UAB „Grafija“ Gyvūnai autistiškų žmonių gyvenime 14–16 – nuo draugų iki terapeutų Julija Dargienė Tiražas 1000 vnt. Leidinys platinamas nemokamai. Verbalinio elgesio etapų vertinimo ir 17 Elektroninė žurnalo versija skelbiama ugdymo plano rengimo programa – www.lietausvaikai.lt jau ir lietuvių kalba Eglė Steponėnienė Žurnalą leidžia Lietuvos autizmo asociacija „Lietaus vaikai“ Būti kaip visi: autistiškų asmenų 18–19 taikomos „kamufliažo“ strategijos Laura Valionienė Iššūkių keliantį elgesį lemia saugumo Žurnalą finansuoja 20–22 trūkumas Laura Valionienė Potrauminio streso sutrikimas ir Visos teisės saugomos. 23–25 autizmas Kopijuoti ir platinti galima tik gavus raštišką Laura Valionienė redakcijos atstovo sutikimą. „Lietaus vaikų“ šeimų stovykla Viršelio nuotraukos autorė – Laura Čekanauskienė 26 pajūryje – visiems vaikams! Modelis – Rapolas (7 metai). Sandra Lopetaitė Neuroįvairovės revoliucija psichikos žmonės“, kuris, mano nuomone, išreiškia svarbiausią neuroįvairovės šalininkų idėją – nenormatyvių jausmų, mąstymo, emocinių ir dvasinių būsenų pripažinimą ir pagarbą jų turėtojams.
    [Show full text]
  • A Brief Instigation to Autism: Review Article
    International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume IV, Issue VIIS, July 2017 | ISSN 2321–2705 A Brief Instigation to Autism: Review Article Ashima Sindhu Mohanty1, Dr. Krishna Chandra Patra2, Akshya Kumar Sahoo3 1Research scholar, SUIIT, Sambalpur University, Odisha, India 2HOD, Dept. of Electronics, SUIIT, Sambalpur University, Odisha, India 3Assistant professor in Dept. of EEE, GIET, Gunupur, Odisha, India Abstract: - The composite brain comprises of billions of components with distinguishable shape, size and wiring patterns. It supervises all the essential functions of the body by receiving the information through five senses: sight, hear, smell, taste and touch and the messages are assembled in a way that has meaning for us. Humans are affected from a number of neurodevelopmental disorders which results in poor ability to function in daily life. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a composite set of mental disorders due to deterioration in the growth and development of brain defined by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repeated unusual behaviours. ASD incorporates Autism, Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise . specified (PDD-NOS). This review article assembles information on different interventions adopted against autism. Figure 2. Keywords: Autism, Asperger syndrome, PDD-NOS, ABA, DSP, Source: https://pmgbiology.com/2015/02/18/nerve-cells-and-synapses-a- EIBI, Medication. understanding-for-igcse-biology/ There is a gap which is particularly known as synapse I. INTRODUCTION between the axon and the dendrite of the neighbouring neuron and the message sent by the signal must cross this synapse in utism is a mental disorder due to deteroriation in the [3] A growth and development of brain characterised by order for the message to be carried on to the next neuron.
    [Show full text]
  • Biopolitics and Subjectivity: the Case of Autism Spectrum
    BIOPOLITICS AND SUBJECTIVITY: THE CASE OF AUTISM SPECTRUM CONDITIONS IN ITALY By M. ARIEL CASCIO Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Anthropology CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY May, 2015 2 CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES We hereby approve the thesis/dissertation of M. Ariel Cascio candidate for the degree of Ph.D.*. Committee Chair Atwood D. Gaines Committee Member Eileen Anderson-Fye Committee Member Lee Hoffer Committee Member Anastasia Dimitropoulos Date of Defense March 6, 2015 * We also certify that written approval has been obtained for any proprietary material contained therein. 3 Table of Contents List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... 7 List of Figures ..................................................................................................................... 8 Preface................................................................................................................................. 9 Acknowledgments............................................................................................................. 11 List of Acronyms .............................................................................................................. 13 Abstract ............................................................................................................................. 11 Introduction ......................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Rethinking Autism, Communication, and Community
    Portland State University PDXScholar Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses Winter 3-31-2015 Rethinking Autism, Communication, and Community Involvement: Exploring Involvement in Online Communities, Communication Preference, Autistic Identity, and Self-Determination Colleen Anne Kidney Portland State University Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds Part of the Psychology Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Kidney, Colleen Anne, "Rethinking Autism, Communication, and Community Involvement: Exploring Involvement in Online Communities, Communication Preference, Autistic Identity, and Self-Determination" (2015). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 2224. https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.2221 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. Rethinking Autism, Communication, and Community Involvement: Exploring Involvement in Online Communities, Communication Preference, Autistic Identity, and Self-Determination by Colleen Anne Kidney A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Psychology Dissertation Committee: Eric Mankowski, Chair Katherine E. McDonald Greg Townley Christina Nicolaidis Laurie Powers Portland State University 2015 i Abstract Autistic individuals experience marginalization and stigmatization, and are often not connected to mainstream services or organizations fostering peer relationships (Boundy, 2008; Jaarsma & Welin, 2012; Robertson, 2010). Therefore, the accomplishments of the online Autistic community in building a community for self- advocacy, peer-support, friendships, and identity development (Brownlow & O’Dell, 2006; Kidney, 2012) are important to recognize, empirically examine, and promote (Blume, 1997a; Davidson, 2008).
    [Show full text]
  • In Childhood
    In childhood About Autism 1 Developed by Parent to Parent NZ Inc for its Care Matters services. www.parent2parent.org.nz • www.carematters.org.nz © Parent to Parent NZ July 2021 This publication is reviewed annually. Kia ora If you are reading this, it is likely a child in your care has just received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), commonly known as autism. We’ve compiled this booklet with input from autistic people, parents and professionals to provide you with information about autism and how it can affect children’s experience of the world around them. It has been designed as a practical tool to educate and empower you and your family. This document is a general overview current at the time of writing. This information has been provided for education/information purposes only. It is not intended or implied to be a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from registered health professionals. Every care has been taken to ensure its accuracy. If you have any questions or would like further information please contact Parent to Parent on 0508 236 236 or email [email protected] In this booklet we use identity first language. Identity first language is preferred by the autistic community as it celebrates the unique strengths and identity that being autistic offers an individual. Not all autistic people choose to be referred to in the same way. If you are unsure, ask the individual what they would prefer. Contents 6 What is autism? 8 What does autism look like? 10 The senses and autism 12 Strengths and abilities in autism 16 Common difficulties 17 Causes and prevalence 18 Diagnosis 19 Disclosing the diagnosis 22 So we have a diagnosis, where to from here? 24 Therapies and supports 26 Positive behaviour support and techniques 29 Communication supports 30 Alternative and augmentative communication tools 31 Visual supports 34 Autistic behaviour 36 Strategies at home What is autism? Autism affects communication and social interaction as well as thinking and behaviour.
    [Show full text]
  • Get Ahead Newsletter Issue 9 – May 2021
    Get Ahead Newsletter Issue 9 – May 2021 The Disability Rights UK newsletter co-edited with and for young people Stay informed with news and information on your journey through education, training and work Schools and colleges to benefit from boost in expert mental health support! Children and young people to benefit from better support and expert advice in school and college thanks to a new multi-million package of mental health support to help them recover from the challenges of the pandemic. As part of Mental Health Awareness week (May 10-16), the Government has announced more than £17 million to build on mental health support already available in education settings. “Our children and young people have faced unique challenges over the course of this very difficult and unsettling pandemic, and while they have shown great resilience, I recognise the need for additional support. “It is essential that children and young people can access the support they need and this extra funding further cements our commitment to their wellbeing, equipping them with the tools to look after their mental health.” Children and Families Minister Vicky Ford Funding also includes a new £7 million Wellbeing for Education Recovery programme, which provides free expert training, support and resources for staff dealing with children and young people experiencing additional pressures from the last year. The Department for Education will also fund an adapted ‘Link' programme which is designed to improve partnerships between health and education leaders in local areas, raise awareness of mental health concerns and improve referrals to specialist help when needed.
    [Show full text]