Fountain, Christopher (2014) The Construction of the Autistic Self: A Critical Discursive Approach. Coursework Masters thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
This study examined the construction and management of an autistic identity through the use of internet methodologies (synchronous, text-based web-forums). Three different stakeholder populations were accessed – autistic individuals, parents of autistic individuals and professionals who work with autistic individuals. Drawing on critical discursive psychology, it was found that participants negotiated an overarching, dominant discourse of subscription to a difference or deviance framework through drawing on two identified interpretative repertoires – ‘How is ASD diagnosed and what impact does that have?’ and ‘Are you with me or against me?’ In crafting an autistic identity, tensions were observed between and within participant groups regarding ASD being viewed as a celebrated difference or a deviance in need of intervention. In terms of relevance to clinical practice, these identified tensions were further explored through the lens of humanistic psychology, highlighting the necessity for a comprehensive diagnostic process to be adhered to.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Coursework Masters) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology, Counselling and Community (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2014) |
| Supervisors: | Charlotte Brownlow |
| Qualification: | Master of Psychology (Clinical) |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Oct 2025 03:54 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Oct 2025 03:54 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52328 |
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