Mapping the social geographies of autism – online and off-line narratives of neuro-shared and separate spaces

Abstract

1Mapping the social geographies of autism -on-and off-line narratives of neuro-shared and separate spaces Points of Interest •We use the term 'space' to mean the places where people can talk with each other and meet. Spaces can either be accessible or not for people with autism.• On-line spaces are where people meet and talk through the internet. Research has shown that on-line spaces can be a helpful way for people with autism to communicate.• Off-lines spaces are where people meet face to face. Off-line spaces are often where people with autism have difficulty communicating. We argue that off-line spaces need to be transformed so that they are accessible for people with autism.• The research explores the meaning of off-and on-line spaces among people with autism.• In our research we found that people with autism want to meet in 'autism only' spaces and at times may want to meet in spaces with both autistic and non autistic people.Mapping the social geographies of autism -on-and off-line narratives of neuro-shared and separate spaces Mapping the social geographies of autism -on-and off-line narratives of neuro-shared and separate spaces 4 Abstract This paper draws together empirical work that has been produced by the authors in two different autistic spaces: The Swedish paper Empowerment produced by and aimed at adults with autism, and English-speaking autistic communities on-line. While the two points of data collection are quite different, there are important points of commonality which enable us to explore central issues concerning autistic and neurotypical space and the meanings assigned to these in different contexts. The paper aims to introduce the notion of social geographies of autism, based on talks among adults with autism and a social movement to promote autistic identities, giving examples from our previous work that has spanned both on-and off-line spaces. Key issues discussed in the paper include a focus on autistic political platforms and the carving out of both social and political spaces for people with autism. In doing so, neuroseparate and neuro-shared spaces must be negotiated.

Exploring the potential for social networking among people with autism: challenging dominant ideas of ‘friendship’

“…Our previous work has indicated that spaces that respect neurodiversity can be created and managed by people with autism in order to facilitate friendships and close relationships (see for example Bertilsdotter Rosqvist, Brownlow, and O'Dell 2013). Given the possibilities for the formation of neurodiverse spaces online, there is a need for research that documents the alternative forms that 'friendship' may take for people with autism in contexts that feel safe and supportive.…”

“…Neurodiverse spaces may be online communities or face-to-face environments that are designed to be accessible to both NTs and people with autism (Bertilsdotter Rosqvist, Brownlow, and O'Dell 2013). An alternative version of friendships, accessed often through the narratives of people supposedly lacking the ability to have and make friends provides us with a valuable insight into a richer and more diverse understanding of friendships.…”

Autism and the ghost of gender

“…Given the tendency to avoid large groups, unfamiliar spaces, and social situations, the Internet has facilitated the growth of group identity and solidarity (Biever, 2007;Brownlow and O'Dell, 2006;Davidson, 2008). In virtual spaces, autistic people informed by critical disability studies reframe their difference as one of many forms of human neurodiversity (Bertilsdotter Rosqvist et al, 2013), and problematize the hegemony of neurotypical, and increasingly also, gender norms.…”

Leveling the Playing Field: Supporting Neurodiversity Via Virtual Realities

“…Using technology allows the user to insert themselves into various situations, no matter where the user is physically. Additionally, technologies that support nonverbal skills can build a bridge between the normative and neurodiverse experiences, which some researchers refer to as "neuro-shared spaces" (9).…”