Critical realism, community psychology, and the curious case of autism: A philosophy and practice of science with social justice in mind

Botha, Monique

doi:10.1002/jcop.22764

Cited by 21 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…Following the group discussion (described above), one author (EC) coded the data using NVivo and developed the themes and subthemes, which were further refined alongside the full team. We took a critical realist approach as this allowed us to understand the subjectivity of experience within realworld, inflexible diagnostic processes (Botha, 2021). We embedded reflexive practice into the process by constantly considering our roles in creating and maintaining narratives about autism as a mixed-neurotype team.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnosis as a new beginning not an end: A participatory photovoice study on navigating an autism diagnosis in adulthood

Cage¹,

Botha²,

McDevitt³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Autistic people diagnosed in adulthood often report that the experience can be life-changing, but there are issues with the diagnostic pathway. Few studies consider the views of people currently seeking diagnosis or contextualise the experience of diagnosis around developing an autistic identity. In this qualitative participatory study, we explored experiences of navigating an autism diagnosis in adulthood in the UK. We recruited six people who were seeking diagnosis, who worked with the academic researchers across four sessions to develop the study, share their experiences and analyse the themes. In one session, they completed a semi-structured interview alongside photovoice, a community-based action method, to explain and reflect on their experiences. We used reflexive thematic analysis to identify patterns, with four key themes identified: “everything shattered”, “being seen”, “understanding not judgement, please” and “here’s a leaflet, off you go”. The themes reflected a desire for change and improved support for both diagnosis and developing autistic identity. Following photovoice methodology, together we identified actions to improve adult diagnosis, including involving autistic people in making improvements to the diagnostic criteria, for key groups to listen more to autistic people, and for diagnostic support services to be flexible and appreciative of wider neurodivergence and intersectionality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnosis as a new beginning not an end: A participatory photovoice study on navigating an autism diagnosis in adulthood

Cage¹,

Botha²,

McDevitt³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…It is in every researcher’s best interest, therefore, to ensure that their research is ontologically resonant, epistemologically consistent, and ethically sound. This paper attempted to be the one of the first (see also Botha, 2021b ), attempts in this endeavour.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These approaches are not mutually exclusive, just differing somewhat from each other in focus and framing. What has, until recently (e.g., Chapman, 2020 ; Botha, 2021b ) been missing, however, is a thorough examination of the underlying philosophical implications of each position, and their implications for the knowledge they create. To understand the current contexts around autism and what they may mean, therefore, it is important to introduce a philosophical approach on autism that is able to incorporate all these different disciplines and bring them together whilst still criticising harmful practices and prioritising the needs, perspectives, and emancipation of autistic people.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… Botha (2021b) discusses in further detail how both positivist and interpretivist approaches have been used in psychology generally and autism research more specifically, critically evaluates their shortcomings and explains why Critical Realism is a better alternative. This article will explore how the philosophy of Critical Realism might be applied in autism research, and how it not only supports, but rather requires, autistic participation in autism research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Critical Realist Approach on Autism: Ontological and Epistemological Implications for Knowledge Production in Autism Research

Kourti

2021

Front. Psychol.

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The ontological status of autism has been a subject of considerable debate and philosophical approaches of it have been recent and sparse. On the one hand, from its conception, autism has been historically heavily located in the fields of psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience, which often assume access to an “objective,” neutral and infallible reality that is external to the research process and is based on the autistic person’s biology and behavioural characteristics, which can be scientifically observed and studied. On the other, proponents of the neurodiversity movement argue against medicalised and pathologising approaches to autism and toward approaches that consider social constructions of autism and relations of power. The Critical Realist philosophy can help reconcile the two positions. Critical Realism conceptualises objectivity as a statement about an object, rather than a neutral and infallible reality. Consequently, Critical Realism suggests that access to reality can only occur through fallible theories. It also suggests that effective theorising goes beyond appearances and phenomena and may even contradict them, which can help challenge dominant behaviourist approaches on autism. I then explore how the tenets of Critical Realism can help strengthen autistic-led theories of autism, the arguments they make, as well as how they support the importance of community autism knowledge. Finally, I present how Critical Realism’s approach to knowledge itself as well as the process of knowledge creation can strengthen autistic theorising, autistic participation in autism research and autistic emancipation. In the last part of the article, I explore how the concepts of Critical Realism apply to autistic sociability. I start with the debate between structure and agency, how Critical Realism reconciles this debate and the implications for autistic emancipation and autism research. I then present Critical Realism’s process of critique and explanation, how they connect to human emancipation and how they can lead to impactful change in autism research by requiring clear links from research to practice, enhancing practices with strong theoretical underpinnings and thus aiding the aims of emancipatory autism research.

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“…The analysis involved one author (EC) familiarising themselves with the responses, inductively identifying codes, organising these into themes and sub-themes, and reviewing and developing thematic maps (17). Reflecting on the researcher's positionality, they are a non-autistic autism researcher, trained in Psychology and supportive of the neurodiversity movement and moving away from the medical model (18), and took a critical realist approach when attempting to interpret meaning (19). They have previously researched attitudes and stigma in a range of different people and was thus likely particularly cognisant of attitudes.…”

Section: Design and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“Autism is everyone’s business”: Autism knowledge and self-efficacy amongst NHS Scotland mental health professionals

Myers¹,

Cage²

2022

Preprint

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Background:Autistic people have many mental health needs and are likely to encounter mental health professionals if seeking help. It is important these professionals have strong knowledge and high self-efficacy regarding providing care for autistic people. Aims:We aimed to examine knowledge, self-efficacy and views of mental health professionals working in NHS Scotland towards autistic people. Method:We used a mixed-methods online survey, completed by 153 mental health professionals working in NHS Scotland. Results:Participants’ autism knowledge scores were high, while self-efficacy scores were modest. There were also differences in knowledge and self-efficacy according to profession, training and whether participants had worked directly with autistic people. Autism knowledge was predicted by self-efficacy. Self-efficacy was predicted by autism knowledge, level of contact, directly working with autistic people, and having received autism training. Thematic analysis of qualitative responses indicated that many professionals had good awareness of features of accessible care for autistic people but were constrained by systemic issues within the NHS. Some also expressed negative attitudes, but there was an overall sense that while specialist pathways are needed, all mental health professionals require training about autistic people’s needs.Conclusions:If there is to be a positive change in the mental health services provided to autistic people, there needs to be a focus on providing training for all staff working in mental health, as well as funding for specialist pathways for autistic people experiencing mental health difficulties. Working together and listening to autistic people is critical in this change.

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Critical realism, community psychology, and the curious case of autism: A philosophy and practice of science with social justice in mind

Cited by 21 publications

References 94 publications

Diagnosis as a new beginning not an end: A participatory photovoice study on navigating an autism diagnosis in adulthood

Diagnosis as a new beginning not an end: A participatory photovoice study on navigating an autism diagnosis in adulthood

A Critical Realist Approach on Autism: Ontological and Epistemological Implications for Knowledge Production in Autism Research

“Autism is everyone’s business”: Autism knowledge and self-efficacy amongst NHS Scotland mental health professionals

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