Constructing positive social updrafts for extranormative personalities

Abstract

This case study examines one high school student, a young woman from the U.S., who was diagnosed with multiple mental illnesses and who, during the research, began to identify as a lesbian. Using a framework grounded in Vygotsky's defectological writing, the authors analyze the case in light of the focal participant's engagement with the international online anime art community, which provided her with a positive social updraft through which she entered a cultural stream that enabled her to represent and reflect on her emerging identity through conventions that were not available to her in mainstream culture. Relying on artifacts from digital art production and a series of interviews, the study examines the manner in which the focal participant employed the signs, tools, goals, values, and overall setting and contours of the anime culture to develop a positive sense of self, a goal difficult for her to achieve in mainstream society. The study concludes with a discussion of how Vygotsky's work in defectology has salience for 21st century mental health differences -characterized here as extranormative or neuroatypicalbecause of his emphasis on viewing the settings of human development, rather than individual points of difference, as the focus of intervention.

Potentials of speech disorders correction in 4-6 yrs children by means of ergo and art therapy

“…Such approach permits to fill educational process with positive emotions. It enriches to large extent emotional and intellectual progress of a child [3,9,17,30]. Formation of character, cultivation of initiative, and will, manifestation of natural bents are an important factor of children's somatic health and physical growth [1, 2, 3, 9].…”

“…Since long ago it has been known, what great potentials are in synthesis of music and movements. Besides, influence of different cognitive and emotional-moral educational means was found: reading [1,3,4]; folk tales [4,12]; music and dances [6,22]; amateur theatre performances [17]; sports practicing and computer technologies [26]. Musical rhythmic movements are a synthetic kind of activity; they are of special importance for children.…”

“…It also relates to Brock's area, which participates in speech formation [6,30]. Constant changes of dance compositions and rhythms stimulate brain neurons for re-switching and, thus, develop functional mobility of nervous processes [17,22,28]. With it specially selected music optimizes brain functioning and facilitates development of verbal and non-verbal intellect.…”

Representations of Autism in Online Harry Potter Fanfiction

“…A growing body of research explores the affordances of digital media for disabled individuals’ literate practices (Alper, 2017), and research into participation in fan communities can contribute to neurodiverse individuals’ development of a positive sense of self (Cook & Smagorinsky, 2014). However, there has been limited work on representations of differing abilities in fan communities, and no work of which the study team is aware that focuses on representations of ASD in fandom, although some related works can be brought to bear on this problem space.…”