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'A Way to Be Me': Autobiographical Reflections of Autistic Adults Diagnosed in Mid-to-Late Adulthood

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Title: 'A Way to Be Me': Autobiographical Reflections of Autistic Adults Diagnosed in Mid-to-Late Adulthood
Language: English
Authors: Lilley, Rozanna (ORCID 0000-0001-6143-8805), Lawson, Wenn, Hall, Gabrielle, Mahony, Joanne, Clapham, Hayley, Heyworth, Melanie, Arnold, Samuel R. C. (ORCID 0000-0003-2900-223X), Trollor, Julian N., Yudell, Michael, Pellicano, Elizabeth (ORCID 0000-0002-7246-8003)
Source: Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. Aug 2022 26(6):1395-1408.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2022
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Autobiographies, Oral History, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adults, Foreign Countries, Clinical Diagnosis, Self Concept, Trauma, Negative Attitudes
Geographic Terms: Australia
DOI: 10.1177/13623613211050694
ISSN: 1362-3613
1461-7005
Abstract: In this article, we report on an oral history study documenting the lives of autistic adults in Australia. This qualitative study, co-produced with autistic researchers, offers insight into the lived experiences of autistic adults diagnosed in mid-to-late adulthood. Oral history methodology was utilised to understand the experiences of autistic adults who grew up in an era before autism was well-known. The 26 interviewees were born before 1975, receiving a clinical autism diagnosis after age 35 years. All interviews were conducted by autistic researchers, transcribed and thematically analysed by a team of autistic and non-autistic researchers using the six-step process outlined by Braun and Clarke. We identified four themes relating to perceptions of the self: being different, exploring identity, the suffering self and being Autistic. Some interviewees reported a direct relationship between trauma, negative self-conceptions and suffering. For most, formal diagnosis had positive impacts on sense of self, contributing to a greater focus on strengths. Contra research suggesting autistic impairments in self-awareness, these interviewees demonstrated a deep capacity for self-reflection, highlighting the variability of autistic lives and the socio-historical contexts that shape individual biographies, including experiences of stigma and discrimination as well as the empowering potential of identifying as autistic.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1347007
Database: ERIC
FullText Links:
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  Data: 'A Way to Be Me': Autobiographical Reflections of Autistic Adults Diagnosed in Mid-to-Late Adulthood
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lilley%2C+Rozanna%22">Lilley, Rozanna</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6143-8805">0000-0001-6143-8805</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lawson%2C+Wenn%22">Lawson, Wenn</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hall%2C+Gabrielle%22">Hall, Gabrielle</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mahony%2C+Joanne%22">Mahony, Joanne</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Clapham%2C+Hayley%22">Clapham, Hayley</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Heyworth%2C+Melanie%22">Heyworth, Melanie</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Arnold%2C+Samuel+R%2E+C%2E%22">Arnold, Samuel R. C.</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2900-223X">0000-0003-2900-223X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Trollor%2C+Julian+N%2E%22">Trollor, Julian N.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yudell%2C+Michael%22">Yudell, Michael</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pellicano%2C+Elizabeth%22">Pellicano, Elizabeth</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7246-8003">0000-0002-7246-8003</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Autism%3A+The+International+Journal+of+Research+and+Practice%22"><i>Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice</i></searchLink>. Aug 2022 26(6):1395-1408.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: 10.1177/13623613211050694
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  Data: In this article, we report on an oral history study documenting the lives of autistic adults in Australia. This qualitative study, co-produced with autistic researchers, offers insight into the lived experiences of autistic adults diagnosed in mid-to-late adulthood. Oral history methodology was utilised to understand the experiences of autistic adults who grew up in an era before autism was well-known. The 26 interviewees were born before 1975, receiving a clinical autism diagnosis after age 35 years. All interviews were conducted by autistic researchers, transcribed and thematically analysed by a team of autistic and non-autistic researchers using the six-step process outlined by Braun and Clarke. We identified four themes relating to perceptions of the self: being different, exploring identity, the suffering self and being Autistic. Some interviewees reported a direct relationship between trauma, negative self-conceptions and suffering. For most, formal diagnosis had positive impacts on sense of self, contributing to a greater focus on strengths. Contra research suggesting autistic impairments in self-awareness, these interviewees demonstrated a deep capacity for self-reflection, highlighting the variability of autistic lives and the socio-historical contexts that shape individual biographies, including experiences of stigma and discrimination as well as the empowering potential of identifying as autistic.
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        Value: 10.1177/13623613211050694
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Negative Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Australia
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