Life-stories of young people labelled with autistic spectrum

• Main Author: Clark, Sian
• Published: University of Bristol 2009
• Subjects: 370.15
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.520601

This study explored the life experiences of young people labelled with autistic spectrum, through collaboratively creating their life-stories with them. Implications for educational psychology practice were subsequently considered. Although there is an abundance of autistic spectrum research within medical and developmental psychology fields, the voice of young people themselves, who are labelled with autistic spectrum, is often marginalized or absent. The current study sought to remedy this gap. Life-stories were undertaken with five young people attending a specialist autistic spectrum provision within a large rural county. The stories were analysed using a thematic narrative analysis technique and the themes to emerge from the stories were explored. These included a strong focus on the social barriers experienced by participants, although autistic spectrum impairments were also evident. Implications of the findings were noted with regard to professional educational psychology practice.