Autobiography on the Spectrum
Disrupting the Autism Narrative
Beth A. Myers (Author)
9780807761458
Paperback / softback, published 17 May 2019
128 pages 22.6 x 15.2 x 1.2 cm, 0.185 kg
Autobiography on the Spectrum challenges prevailing notions about autism by offering the viewpoint of adolescents on the spectrum through their writing, photography, poetry, art, and more. This book is a critical resource for teacher preparation and professional learning in any field that interacts with individuals with autism or other disabilities.
Acknowledgments vii
Preface ix
1. “ I swam too far in the sea and drowned” : A Different View of Autism 1
The Prevailing Deficit Model of Autism 2
An Alternate View: Critical Disability Theory 4
Autobiography and Autism 5
Creating a Space for Inquiry 8
2. “ The walls of my room” : Representations of Home and Family 16
Opening Up: An Introduction to Billy 17
Making Connections 22
Exploring Relationships 25
Expectations: The Way Things Are Supposed to Be 28
Taking Risks: Telling Versus Not Telling 31
Locating Self 36
Claiming Ownership 39
3. “ I hope school starts to calm down so I can too” : Enduring, Resisting, and Reframing School Experiences 41
Imaging and Imagining: Looking Out at Others Looking In 43
Charlie: Enduring Oppression 45
Elizabeth: Resisting Oppression 50
Cody: Reframing Oppression 55
Making Space for Inquiry 60
4. “ Nobody’ s normal in a way” : Writing Ourselves into the Story of Autism 62
(De)Constructing Autism 62
Interrogating “ Normal” 66
Exploring the Potential of Narrative Works 68
Disrupting the Autism Narrative 69
Managing a Stigmatized Identity 70
Autobiography as a Counternarrative 72
5. “ I can do more than people think I can do” : On Discovering What We Seek 75
Autobiographical Lives 76
Creating for Agency 77
Autobiography as a Counter-Practice 78
Practitioner Inquiry: Making Meaning from Our Work 79
