"I like others to not try to fix me": Agency, independence, and autism

Zachary Rossetti, Christine Ashby, Katrina Arndt, Marilyn Chadwick, Maho Kasahara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article is based on an interpretevist, qualitative research project conducted with individuals labeled with autism who type to communicate. Researchers engaged in participant observation and conducted open-ended interviews with 9 participants who were working to develop independent typing skills. Three findings emerged from this research. First, participants shaped a notion of independence that included dependence on various supports. Second, researchers recognized the concept of agency in the interactions between participants and their communication facilitators. Third, participants exercised control of their lives through these expressions of agency.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)364-375
Number of pages12
JournalIntellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Volume46
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Community and Home Care
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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