Autism as a Difference or a Disorder? Exploring the Views of Individuals Who Use Peer-Led Online Support Groups for Autistic Partners

Autor/in	Lewis, Laura Foran
Titel	Autism as a Difference or a Disorder? Exploring the Views of Individuals Who Use Peer-Led Online Support Groups for Autistic Partners
Quelle	In: Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 27 (2023) 2, S.321-330 (10 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Lewis, Laura Foran)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1362-3613
DOI	10.1177/13623613221097850
Schlagwörter	Autism Spectrum Disorders; Attitudes; Social Isolation; Satisfaction; Social Support Groups; Computer Mediated Communication; Interpersonal Competence; Social Media; Dating (Social); Marriage; Clinical Diagnosis + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Autism; Autismus; Attitude; Einstellung; Verhalten; Soziale Isolation; Zufriedenheit; Social support; Soziale Unterstützung; Computerkonferenz; Interpersonale Kompetenz; Soziale Medien; Ehe
Abstract	Approximately one-third of autistics report intimate relationship experience, but few studies have explored neuromixed relationships from the perspectives of non-autistic partners. Non-autistic partners increasingly use peer-led online groups to seek support. The purpose of this study was to capture a theory that reflects the basic social experience of individuals who use these support groups using classic Glaserian grounded theory methodology. Online interviews were conducted with 162 non-autistics who believed that they were in neuromixed relationships. Data were concurrently collected and analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Participants described varying views of autism, from a difference to a disorder, which defined the context of their relationships. Five relationship profiles emerged--mutual partnership: viewed partners as = companionship: viewed partners as friends but lacked a deeper connection; caregiving: viewed partners as dependents and compared relationships to parent-child dyads; detachment: viewed relationships as broken beyond repair and isolated selves from partners; and discriminatory: believed and circulated negative generalizations about autism. Many participants who were dissatisfied in their relationships shared that their partners were not formally evaluated and did not self-identify as autistic. Future research should explore ways that autism labels are (mis)applied by the general public based on negative stereotypes about autism. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	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
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01