Still Infantilizing Autism? An Update and Extension of Stevenson et al. (2011)
Nameera Akhtar1, Janette Dinishak2, Jennifer L Frymiare3
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA.
Autism in Adulthood : Challenges and Management
|January 6, 2023
Summary
Media representations of autism are shifting, with more autistic adults now depicted, though children remain more common. This study compares current media portrayals to a decade prior, finding some progress but continued underrepresentation.
Area of Science:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Media Studies
- Social Science
Background:
- Previous research in 2011 found media overwhelmingly depicted children with autism.
- Sources examined included charity websites, news, and fictional media.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if media representations of autism have shifted to include more autistic adults compared to a decade prior.
- To statistically compare current findings with Stevenson et al. (2011).
Main Methods:
- Replicated methods from Stevenson et al. (2011) to analyze media representations.
- Statistically compared findings on adult vs. child representations of autism.
Main Results:
- Autism Society of America chapter websites and fictional books showed an increase in adult representations (19%-20%) but still favored children.
- Movies, TV shows, and news stories presented equal numbers of autistic adults and children.
Conclusions:
- Some media domains show a decrease in infantilizing autism, indicated by increased adult representation.
- Underrepresentation of autistic adults remains a key aspect of media infantilization.
- Further research is needed on the impact of media portrayals and representation across gender and race.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
405
A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are...
405
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
1.3K
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Primary Temperament Types
1.3K
01:26Modeling in Therapy
724
Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
724
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
1.8K
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
1.8K