Mapping the autistic advantage from the accounts of adults diagnosed with autism: A qualitative study
dc.contributor.author | Russell, G | |
dc.contributor.author | Kapp, SK | |
dc.contributor.author | Elliott, D | |
dc.contributor.author | Elphick, CM | |
dc.contributor.author | Gwernan-Jones, RC | |
dc.contributor.author | Owens, C | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2019-04-05T14:30:50Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2019-04-03 | |
dc.description.abstract | Background: Autism has been associated with specific cognitive strengths. Strengths and weaknesses have traditionally been conceptualized as dichotomous. Methods: We conducted 28 semi-structured interviews with autistic adults. Maximum variation sampling was used to ensure diversity in relation to support needs. We asked which personal traits adults attributed to their autism, and how these have helped in the workplace, in relationships, and beyond. Data were collected in two stages. Responses were analyzed using content and thematic techniques. Results: The ability to hyperfocus, attention to detail, good memory, and creativity were the most frequently described traits. Participants also described specific qualities relating to social interaction, such as honesty, loyalty, and empathy for animals or for other autistic people. In thematic analysis we found that traits associated with autism could be experienced either as advantageous or disadvantageous dependent on moderating influences. Moderating influences included the social context in which behaviors occurred, the ability to control behaviors, and the extent to which traits were expressed. Conclusions: Separating autistic strengths from weaknesses may be a false dichotomy if traits cannot be isolated as separate constructs of strengths or deficits. If attempts to isolate problematic traits from advantageous traits are ill conceived, there may be implications for interventions that have reduction in autistic traits as a primary outcome measure. | en_GB |
dc.description.sponsorship | Wellcome Trust | en_GB |
dc.identifier.citation | Published online 3 April 2019 | en_GB |
dc.identifier.doi | 10.1089/aut.2018.0035 | |
dc.identifier.grantnumber | 108676/Z/15/Z | en_GB |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10871/36745 | |
dc.language.iso | en | en_GB |
dc.publisher | Mary Ann Liebert | en_GB |
dc.rights | © Ginny Russell, 2019; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. This Open Access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. | en_GB |
dc.subject | autism | en_GB |
dc.subject | autistic intelligence | en_GB |
dc.subject | thematic analysis | en_GB |
dc.subject | strengths and weaknesses | en_GB |
dc.subject | neurodiversity | en_GB |
dc.title | Mapping the autistic advantage from the accounts of adults diagnosed with autism: A qualitative study | en_GB |
dc.type | Article | en_GB |
dc.date.available | 2019-04-05T14:30:50Z | |
dc.description | This is the final version. Available on open access from Mary Ann Liebert via the DOI in this record | en_GB |
dc.identifier.eissn | 2573-959X | |
dc.identifier.journal | Autism in Adulthood | en_GB |
dc.rights.uri | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | en_GB |
dcterms.dateAccepted | 2019-02-06 | |
exeter.funder | ::Wellcome Trust | en_GB |
rioxxterms.version | VoR | en_GB |
rioxxterms.licenseref.startdate | 2019-02-06 | |
rioxxterms.type | Journal Article/Review | en_GB |
refterms.dateFCD | 2019-04-05T14:28:46Z | |
refterms.versionFCD | VoR | |
refterms.dateFOA | 2019-04-05T14:30:55Z | |
refterms.panel | C | en_GB |
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's licence is described as © Ginny Russell, 2019; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. This Open Access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original work is properly cited.