Two world views: Perspectives on autistic behaviours

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
• Phenomenology

Background:

• Autism is often viewed through medical and psychological lenses, influencing parental perceptions.
• Understanding the lived experiences of autistic individuals is crucial for accurate support.
• Previous research has focused on external observations rather than the internal experiences of autistic children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and contrast parental and autistic children's perspectives on behaviors associated with autism.
• To investigate how autistic children account for their own actions, particularly obsessions and ritualistic behaviors.
• To utilize phenomenological methodology to gain in-depth understanding of autism experiences.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological methodology was employed.
• Data collected through interviews and video narratives from 10 young people with autism and their parents.
• Ethnomethodological methods used for data analysis to interpret experiences.

Main Results:

• Parents tend to pathologize behaviors of children with autism, influenced by prevailing medical and psychological viewpoints.
• Autistic children provide distinct accounts of their own behaviors, offering a different interpretation of their actions.
• Significant divergence exists between parents' and children's explanations for autistic behaviors like obsessions and rituals.

Conclusions:

• Parental perceptions of autism may be shaped by external theoretical frameworks, leading to a view of behaviors as pathological.
• Autistic children's self-accounts offer valuable insights into their experiences and the meaning behind their behaviors.
• Acknowledging and understanding the child's perspective is essential for a more nuanced and supportive approach to autism.