Project Description
Student will conduct qualitative research on how expert practitioners utilize a strengths-based approach to autism. This research may assist non neurodiversity affirming practitioners in developing a strengths-based approach to autistic individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors.
The neurodiversity movement is a political and social movement that claims all brains are valid regardless of difference or disability. It encourages making social changes that are accessible to all people (den Houting, 2018).
One of the central components of the neurodiversity movement is the autism rights movement. This component claims that autism is not deficit that needs to be cured but is instead a natural variant in the human population (den Houting, 2018; Leadbitter et al., 2021). However, this movement does not claim that autism is not a disability. It recognizes that challenges that are frequently associated with autism, however, its focus is not on making autistic people more normal. Instead, it focuses on increasing quality of life while respecting difference (Leadbitter et al., 2021). Neurodiversity affirming therapy is not one approach, instead it is any therapy that adheres to this idea of neurological difference and respects autistic individuals as the experts on themselves.
In the last century autistic people have pushed back against this construct advocating for the rights afforded to others (Kapp et al., 2019). The beliefs perpetuated within ABA therapy are not contained within the profession. Occupational therapy has the potential to support the disability rights movements and affirm autistic peoples’ unique neurology. To do this we must take a stand against harmful tactics within our profession, actively work to engage in bidirectional perspective taking, and listen to autistic voices (Kapp et al. 2019; Yergeau & Huebner, 2017).
Goals and Concerns
1. To provide care to autistic individuals that respects their unique neurology and autonomy by utilizing strengths-based approaches individualized for each autistic person.
2. To provide clinicians with adequate guidance how to provide neurodiversity affirming care.
3. To uplift autistic voices within research to gather data that benefits the communities we serve.
Project Mission Statement
To conduct qualitative research on how practitioners utilize a strengths-based approach in practice with autistic individuals.
Project Vision Statement
To assist occupational therapy practitioners in utilizing a strengths-based approach to autistic individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors.
1. IRB approval and evidence of appropriate qualitative design in draft manuscript
2. Evidence table
3. IRB approval and evidence of data collection in draft manuscript
4. Evidence-based resource manual
5. Continuing education certificate
6. Handouts for a community organization
Research
Research question: What is neurodiversity affirming care in practice when working with autistic individuals who exhibit “challenging behaviors” as told by neurodiversity affirming occupational therapy practitioners?
Method: All methods were approved by a university institutional review board (IRB) and all participants provided informed consent. Three autistic adults were consulted at key stages of research to increase accessibility and ensure the research aligned with the goals of the autistic community.
Recruitment and Sampling: Purposive sampling was used to recruit licensed occupational therapy practitioners who met the inclusion criteria. The participants were recruited by using an email-based survey. If practitioners met the inclusion criteria of self-attesting to OT or COTA licensure, self-attesting to practicing in a neurodiversity affirming way, and self-attesting to giving a presentation on neurodiversity affirming care, practitioners were invited to participate in a 20 minute to 1-hour long interview.
Data Analysis: Audio and video taped interviews were transcribed using a transcription software. Transcription was checked by the lead researcher for accuracy. ATLAIS TI software was used to assist with the coding process. Initial coding process involved taking a portion of the interviews and developing a draft codebook.
Implications for Occupational Therapy
Throughout capstone I have begun the process of conducting neurodiversity affirming research. Throughout this capstone, I have gained skills in research that will assist me in completing future inclusive research.
My Future Plans
I have accepted a job at Pathfinder Services as the Independent Living Coordinator.
Contact Information
Personal: mkatherine1212@gmail.com Professional: KMcGinley@pathfinderservices.org
Other Artifacts
References
Baumer, N. M. D., & Julia Frueh, M. D. (2021). What is neurodiversity? Harvard Health. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-202111232645#:~:text=Neurodiversity%20describes%20the%20idea%20that,are%20not%20viewed%20as%20deficits.
Dinishak, J. (2018). Autism, aspect-perception, and neurodiversity. Philosophical Psychology, 32(6), 874–897. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515089.2019.1632426
Kapp, S. K., Gillespie-Lynch, K., Sherman, L. E., & Hutman, T. (2013). Deficit, difference, or both? Autism and neurodiversity. Developmental Psychology, 49(1), 59–71. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028353
Kapp, S. K., Steward, R., Crane, L., Elliott, D., Elphick, C., Pellicano, E., & Russell, G. (2019). ‘People should be allowed to do what they like’: Autistic adults’ views and experiences of stimming. Autism, 23(7), 1782–1792. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361319829628
Leadbitter, K., Buckle, K. L., Ellis, C., & Dekker, M. (2021). Autistic self-advocacy and the Neurodiversity Movement: Implications for autism early intervention research and practice. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635690
Mandy, W. (2018). The research domain criteria: A new dawn for neurodiversity research? Autism, 22(6), 642–644. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318782586
Paletta, D. (2013). Equality, capability and neurodiversity. Ethics and Political Philosophy Commons. https://repository.upenn.edu/miscellaneous_papers.
Paul Chance, PC, (1974). O. Ivar Lovaas Interview with Paul Chance, Psychology Today
Yergeau, M., & Huebner, B. (2017). Minding theory of mind. Journal of Social Philosophy, 48(3), 273–296. https://doi.org/10.1111/josp.12191
Credits:
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