MSc Autism Research Lecture Notes
A complete collection of notes taken for the Univeristy of Stirling PRMP141 class of 2020 for Autism Research.
Notes dicussing the topics at hand including the Double Empathy Problem, Theory and Mind, Social Motivation and more - including the breakdown of key ...
PRMP141
Autism Research
DR EILIDH CAGE – FEBRUARY 2020
UNIVERISTY OF STIRLING
Notes created by Hannah Moore
(MSc Graduate in Psychological Research Methods within Au sm Research)
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,PRMP141 – Au sm Research
Table of Contents
Narratives in Autism............................................................................................................................... 3
Research Breakdown.............................................................................................................................. 4
Participatory Research ........................................................................................................................... 6
Theory of Mind Hypothesis .................................................................................................................... 8
Weak Central Coherence ..................................................................................................................... 10
Social Motivation Theory ..................................................................................................................... 12
The Double Empathy Problem ............................................................................................................. 13
Diagnosis in Women............................................................................................................................. 15
Mental Health and Autism ................................................................................................................... 17
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, PRMP141 – Au sm Research
Narra ves in Au sm
Terminology is important.
Kenny et al. (2016) UK survey of 3470 of the autism community (502 autistic adults, 2207 parents,
1109 professionals and 380 other family/friends)
They found that all but the professionals preferred 'Autistic', but always ask when doing research.
The medical model of disability
The person being the problem, they need fixed/cured
The social model of disability
What can we do to change the environment to suit the needs of this person?
Terminology matters, it effects self esteem.
Theory of mind, the idea that autistic people do not have a theory of mind, and therefore they are
"less than human". This is damaging.
Thinking about autism research papers you have read before, what kind of narrative /
language do they tend to use when talking about autism?
Language used in research papers mostly follows the biological model of disability, often referring to
"individuals with autism spectrum disorder" and "people with ASD" (Sasson, Faso and Grossman,
2017)
"Children with Autism" (Speaks, 2011)
Infact, in 2001 there was a book published by the National Research Council called "Educating
Children with Autism", seriously, Google it.
Why might it be important that autism researchers consider the narrative and language
they use in their research?
As most papers follow the biological model narrative, there are damaging effects for autistic people.
It depicts autistic people as a problem that needs a solution, or that they can simply 'remove' or
'leave behind' their autism for a period of time.
To break this stigma, autism researchers need to abandon person first language and take the social
model approach in their narrative and language towards autistic people. Using language, such as
autistic people allows us to acknowledge that this is a developmental neurological disorder that
society needs to adapt to, just as we have physical disabilities and other differences.
It demonstrates that autism is a part of someone. Using this more powerful, positive language can
start to dismantle the distorted view of autistic people that has been presented to us from a time
once gone.
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