'You Don't Look Autistic': A Qualitative Exploration of Women's Experiences of Being the 'Autistic Other'

Autor/inn/en	Seers, Kate; Hogg, Rachel C.
Titel	'You Don't Look Autistic': A Qualitative Exploration of Women's Experiences of Being the 'Autistic Other'
Quelle	In: Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 25 (2021) 6, S.1553-1564 (12 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Seers, Kate) ORCID (Hogg, Rachel C.)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1362-3613
DOI	10.1177/1362361321993722
Schlagwörter	Autism; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Females; Experience; Sex Role; Expectation; Sex Stereotypes; Adults; Attitudes + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Autismus; Weibliches Geschlecht; Erfahrung; Geschlechterrolle; Expectancy; Erwartung; Attitude; Einstellung; Verhalten
Abstract	There is currently a paucity of literature exploring the experiences of women on the autism spectrum. It is imperative research is conducted to capture the experiences of women on the autism spectrum and ensure appropriate support is provided to this cohort. Drawing upon a social constructionist framework, this qualitative research study sought to understand how psychological and socio-cultural constructions of autism spectrum condition and gender influence the well-being of women on the autism spectrum. Eight participants engaged in a semi-structured interview, with thematic analysis conducted to demonstrate the impact of gender roles and social expectations on the women's identity and autism spectrum condition expression. The research highlighted the changing understandings of autism spectrum condition across a woman's lifespan and the process and impact of resisting hegemonic autism spectrum condition categorisation. The findings demonstrate that social constructions of gender and stereotypical understandings of autism spectrum condition, which prioritise a deficit, medical model, have significant consequences for women's well-being and subjectivity. The women experienced challenging formative years, but with diagnosis and the evolution and acceptance of their identities, they were able to resist negative narratives of autism spectrum condition, embrace their strengths and develop adaptive coping strategies. It is hoped this article generates insights for societal and clinical recognition to better support women on the autism spectrum. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01