Abstract
The first-person perspective of neurodiverse adults was researched using Photovoice to examine their perceived supports and barriers to communication, relationships, and self-expression, filling the gap in the research for this underserved population.
Primary Author and Speaker: Elsie Hurtado Pollari
Contributing Authors: Sarah Mak, Paulina Ramirez, Claudia Sacha
Neurodiverse (ND) adults are less likely to receive appropriate services that support independence (Holmes et al., 2023) due to limited pathways to service and a scarcity in providers (Ohl et al., 2020). The Practice Guidelines for Autistic People Across the Lifespan (Patten et al., 2024) indicate that occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) should focus on identifying support needs, barriers, and differences in the lived experiences of autistic and non-autistic persons. They advocate for including ND participants in research and interventions. Our research asks: What are the perspectives of ND adults on their supports and barriers to communication, relationships, and self-expression? Photovoice was used to gather first-person perspectives from ND adults. ND adults were recruited through snowballing from a community partner and peers. Participants required the ability to independently participate in focus groups, and communicate thoughts about photos. Eight adults (18-36+), with a diagnosis of autism participated in the study. Participants submitted photos representing their experiences with communication, relationships, and self-expression. Three weekly focus groups were run to discuss photos, clarify their meanings and discuss shared experiences. Meetings were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. Preliminary data revealed commonalities in the supports and barriers experienced across participants within each category. Participants felt inadequately supported in adulthood and recounted significant efforts to be heard and understood. They highlighted the need for more comprehensive support services tailored to their unique needs during this critical phase of life. OTPs possess the requisite skills to enhance support for this population. This data indicates that OT services must expand to address the multifaceted challenges faced by ND adults in navigating adulthood effectively.
Holmes, L. G., Goebel, R. J., Hollingue, C., Zhu, S., Zhang, H., Shan, W., Wang, S., Caplan, R., Sanchez, A., Wharmby, P., Chiang, M., Person, M., & Rothman, E. F. (2023). Reductions in Depression and Anxiety Among Autistic Adults Participating in an Intervention to Promote Healthy Relationships. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(2). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.050108
Ohl, A., Schelly, D., Brown, D., Schulze, N., Smith, M., & Davies, B. (2020). A survey of occupational therapy services provided for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT), 8(2), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1620
Patten, K. K., Kavitha Murthi, Onwumere, D. D., Skaletski, E. C., Little, L. M., & Tomchek, S. D. (2024). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Autistic People Across the Lifespan. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(3). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.078301