Adults with Autism Speak Out: Perceptions of Their Life Experiences

<p>The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the perceptions of three high functioning adults with autism about their life experiences. After a review of the literature, I determined that there is a lack of information regarding adults with autism, especially those at the high end of the spectrum. There is a great deal of information regarding the educational needs of individuals with autism; however, there are few studies available which address the unique needs of the adults. I wondered “What can we learn about adults with autism that we did not know before? What can they tell us about their life experiences?”</p> <p>The participants in this study were three high functioning adults with autism who lived in different cities across the United States. I met, visited, and corresponded with them over a nine-month period of time, beginning at a national conference on autism in July 1999 and ending in April 2000.</p> <p>Qualitative research methods were used to study the perceptions of the life experiences of high functioning adults with autism. These methods included initial visits and interviews, follow-up interviews, and the reading of published and unpublished material written by the participants.</p> <p>Through analysis of the data, an overall main assertion, three themes, add several sub-assertions were developed. Each theme and assertion was documented and supported with verbatim data and related literature. These themes and assertions are summarized as follows.</p> <p>High functioning adults with autism want to be considered experts in the field of autism, have opinions on, and want to be consulted on issues related to autism.</p> <p>They see, and believe in, the value of others learning about autism directly from the sources themselves. They are proud to have autism and do not desire to be a neurotypical, whom they see as narrow-minded and biased.</p> <p>Over time, with experience and education, high functioning adults with autism have developed opinions on a wide variety of topics related to autism. They believe that group living is dehumanizing, issues of employment are a big problem, behaviors need to be addressed individually and positively, and the use of gentle and supportive techniques is the best way to teach social skills.</p> <p>Recommendations to parents and professionals involved in working with individuals with autism were provided.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Teaching & Learning

Year

2000

Author dc:creator

• Hurlbutt, Karen S.

• Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.und.edu/theses/979

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.und.edu:theses-1981