Toward Understanding and Enhancing Self-Determination: A Qualitative Exploration with Autistic Adults without Co-Occurring Intellectual Disability
Thompson-Hodgetts, Ryan, Coombs, Brown, Xavier, Devlin, Lee, Kedmy and Borden (2023)
Self-determinations is a fundamental human right, yet Autistic people are reported to be less self-determined than non-Autistic people. This research aimed to understand self-determination from an Autistic perspective and to explore their perceptions of current barriers to being self-determined, and lastly, to address how Autistic people would like to be supported to be self-determined. 19 Autistic adults took part in semi-structured interviews. The data was analysed by three Autistic and two non-Autistic researchers, informed by reflexive thematic analysis. The results showed that self-determination has the same meaning for Autistic people as non-Autistic people. Participants talked about having the opportunity and support to have self-determination without controlling factors from others. Experiences of self-determination were centred around, lack of opportunity and executive processing difference. Supported was wanted in the areas of making choices and exerting autonomy, being supported to unmake and be one’s Autistic self and pragmatic support for executive processing differences. The authors argue that whilst individualised support was discussed the ideal is an inclusive society which values and respect neurodivergent people.
