An Anthropological Perspective on Autism

Belek, Ben

doi:10.1353/ppp.2019.0038

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The category of autism represents a very broad spectrum of neurodevelopmental conditions. Yet it has repeatedly been demonstrated that purely biological / neurological explanatory models are unsatisfactory in fully accounting for the phenomenon, as these overlook the complex matrix of political, historical, and sociological contexts from which this category has emerged and in which it is maintained (Belek 2019b ; Eyal et al 2010 ; Grinker 2010 ; Nadesan 2005 ; Silverman 2012 ). Ultimately, biomedical models typically construe autism inappropriately as an objectively accurate label, and imply that autistic people are fully, and passively, contained within this category (for an account of exceptions to this rule, see Fitzgerald 2017).…”

Section: Autism and Neurodiversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

‘A Smaller Mask’: Freedom and Authenticity in Autistic Space

Belek¹

2022

Cult Med Psychiatry

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Autscape is an autistic-led conference, organised annually in varying locations around England. Governed by a strict set of rules and regulations, Autscape is a social and spatial setup explicitly devised to accommodate the tendencies, sensitivities, and preferences of people on the autism spectrum. It is a design, in other words—as organisers and participants alike often profess—for an altogether autistic space. The uniqueness of the event, and consequently its value to anthropological theory, lies in the shared imagination of the setting by those who inhabit it as one in which neurotypical masks, otherwise worn daily in keeping with hegemonic society's expectation of conformity, can finally be removed. I introduce the concept of un-festival as a means of depicting this event, similar to festival in its goals of defiance and inversion, but different from—and in important ways, opposite to—festival in its style and architecture, in the dispositions it encourages and mobilises, and in its potential implications. The un-festival offers a powerful comment on this moment in history, whereby masks are no longer seen as an item that affords freedom, but as one that stifles it. While Autscape participants remain doubtful as to the actual effect of this event on neurotypical society, they do nevertheless express a desire that this project will have some longstanding effects. That once a space has been designed for autistic people that considers their specific needs and tendencies, autism may then finally cease to be interpreted through a neuro-normative prism and freed to be understood in autistic people’s own terms.

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Section: Autism and Neurodiversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

‘A Smaller Mask’: Freedom and Authenticity in Autistic Space

Belek¹

2022

Cult Med Psychiatry

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“…The objectives of design for people on the autism spectrum have been reoriented and broadened to work not only based on deficits but also on the skills that people with autism have, sometimes in a particularly developed way [21]. The chances of an independent life, which the project aims to improve, also depend on the role and social image of the person with autism [22]. These aspects have been investigated, focusing on spheres such as language and sociality, identity and subjectivity, or narrations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Requirements of a Supportive Environment for People on the Autism Spectrum: A Human-Centered Design Story

et al. 2023

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People on the autism spectrum have a different perception of the environment than neurotypical people and often require support in various activities of daily living. Assistive technology can support those affected, but very few smart-home-like technologies exist. To support people on the autism spectrum in their autonomy and safety and to help caregivers, a smart home and interior design environment was developed. Requirements were gathered by employing a holistic human-centered design approach through interactive workshops and questionnaires to create a useful and user-friendly solution. From this process, requirements for a comprehensive solution (the SENSHOME environment) emerged. These requirements include a set of functionalities tailored to the needs of people on the autism spectrum, such as a crowd warning that informs when many people are in a certain area (for example, the entrance), an automatic light regulation system, or a daily life planner that supports task completion. Furthermore, inclusive furniture elements such as a refuge seat or a table with dividers can support wellbeing, autonomy, and safety. This paper demonstrates a consequent and considerable participatory research approach and the story from the target group and context of use through design requirements to the initial design solution of the SENSHOME environment.

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“I like you being here”

Sutton

2021

HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory

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An Anthropological Perspective on Autism

Cited by 5 publications

References 28 publications

‘A Smaller Mask’: Freedom and Authenticity in Autistic Space

‘A Smaller Mask’: Freedom and Authenticity in Autistic Space

Requirements of a Supportive Environment for People on the Autism Spectrum: A Human-Centered Design Story

“I like you being here”

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