| Title: |
Being Able to Be Myself: Understanding Autonomy and Autonomy-Support from the Perspectives of Autistic Adults with Intellectual Disabilities |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Jackie Ryan (ORCID 0000-0003-3089-4888); Heather M. Brown (ORCID 0000-0002-5290-0057); Anne Borden; Christina Devlin; Adam Kedmy; Austin Lee; David B. Nicholas (ORCID 0000-0003-4480-322X); Bethan Kingsley; Sandy Thompson-Hodgetts (ORCID 0000-0002-6802-2068) |
| Source: |
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2024 28(12):3092-3104. |
| Availability: |
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
13 |
| Publication Date: |
2024 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Self Determination; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Intellectual Disability; Adults; Personal Autonomy |
| DOI: |
10.1177/13623613241254432 |
| ISSN: |
1362-3613; 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: |
Self-determination enhances a person's quality of life and is a fundamental human right. According to self-determination theory, autonomy is one of three basic psychological needs that must be met to experience self-determination. The overarching aim of this exploratory study was to learn about autonomy from the perspective of autistic adults with intellectual disability, including what autonomy meant and how participants wanted to be supported to be autonomous. Participants (n = 8; median age = 24) engaged in a variety of participatory methods (e.g. discussions, arts and crafts, games) during weekly sessions. These sessions took place over 7-16 weeks and were each informed by a guiding question related to autonomy. Artifacts, video or audio recordings from each session, and reflexive journals were thematically analyzed. The results support an overarching meaning of autonomy as being able to be themselves. Participants identified (1) choice and control, (2) communicating their way, and (3) safe environments as important and showed us how they wanted to be supported in each of these three areas. We also identified having autistic facilitators as an overarching strategy. These results provide a foundation for implementing change to enhance autonomy for autistic adults with intellectual disabilities. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2024 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1449675 |
| Database: |
ERIC |