Critical Autism Studies

Woods, Richard D.; Waldock, Krysia Emily

doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102297-1

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Whilst we recognise that Vivanti's (2020) original editorial was not designed to be a comprehensive examination of the literature, we would like to note one serious limitation in its lack of engagement with the literature produced by autistic scholars addressing these issues (such as Arnold 2017;Chapman 2019Chapman , 2020Chown 2019;Graby 2015;Milton in Milton and Timimi 2016;Woods and Waldock 2020;Sinclair 2013;Singer 1999Singer , 2017Walker 2012). Our response, in part, attempts to add to that body of (already substantial) work.…”

Section: Superficial Engagement With Autistic Scholarshipmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Language Matter? Identity-First Versus Person-First Language Use in Autism Research: A Response to Vivanti

Botha

Hanlon

Williams

2021

J Autism Dev Disord

234

150

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In response to Vivanti’s ‘Ask The Editor…’ paper [Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(2), 691–693], we argue that the use of language in autism research has material consequences for autistic people including stigmatisation, dehumanisation, and violence. Further, that the debate in the use of person-first language versus identity-first language should centre first and foremost on the needs, autonomy, and rights of autistic people, so in to preserve their rights to self-determination. Lastly, we provide directions for future research.

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Section: Superficial Engagement With Autistic Scholarshipmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Language Matter? Identity-First Versus Person-First Language Use in Autism Research: A Response to Vivanti

Botha

Hanlon

Williams

2021

J Autism Dev Disord

234

150

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Yet, I emerge-a product of autism, discourse, activism, and academia, creating pockets of agency, to resist. Much like those who challenge the status quo to produce critical autism literature (Woods and Waldock, 2020). I follow in the footsteps of openly autistic academics, whose visibility was the only reason I saw this as a viable career-such as Damian Milton, or Steven Kapp.…”

Section: Emergingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Academic, Activist, or Advocate? Angry, Entangled, and Emerging: A Critical Reflection on Autism Knowledge Production

Botha

2021

Front. Psychol.

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There has been a focus on autistic-led and participatory research in autism research, but minimal discussion about whether the field is hospitable to autistic involvement. While the focus on participatory and/or autistic-led research is abundantly welcome, a wider conversation should also happen about how autistic people are treated in the process of knowledge creation. As such, I present a critical reflection on my experiences of academia as an autistic autism researcher. I open by questioning whether I am an academic, an activist, or an advocate before discussing my journey through academia, and my exposure to dehumanizing, objectifying, and violent accounts of autism. I highlight how the construction of objectivity has resulted in a failure to question the validity of these dehumanizing accounts of autism, which are regarded as “scientifically-sound” by virtue of their perceived “objectivity.” Furthermore, I discuss how the idea of objectivity is used to side-line autistic expertise in disingenuous ways, especially when this knowledge challenges the status-quo. Despite claiming to be value-free, these dehumanizing accounts of autism embody social and cultural values, with a complete lack of transparency or acknowledgment. I then discuss how these dehumanizing accounts and theories—entangled in values—reverberate into autistic people's lives and come to be ways of constituting us. Following this, I discuss the rationality of the anger autistic people feel when encountering these accounts, and instead of urging people to distance themselves from these emotions, I discuss the value of “leaning-in” as a radical act of dissent in the face of research-based violence. I then make a call to action urging all those who write or speak about autism to engage reflexively with how their values shape their understanding and construction of autistic people. Lastly, I conclude by answering my opening question: I have emerged as an advocate, activist, and academic. For me, belonging to the autistic community, acknowledging our marginalization, and recognizing our suffering within society means that hope for a better and just future has always, and will always underpin my work.

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Critical Autism Studies

Cited by 2 publications

References 44 publications

Does Language Matter? Identity-First Versus Person-First Language Use in Autism Research: A Response to Vivanti

Does Language Matter? Identity-First Versus Person-First Language Use in Autism Research: A Response to Vivanti

Academic, Activist, or Advocate? Angry, Entangled, and Emerging: A Critical Reflection on Autism Knowledge Production

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