Presenting the self: negotiating a label of autism.
BACKGROUND
An important element in the experiences of people with autism is the key role played by therapeutic interventions. This paper examines the role of therapeutic intervention and the construction of individuals with autism in the therapeutic relationship.


METHODS
The contributions to four online asynchronous discussion lists were analysed using discourse analysis over a 3-month period.


RESULTS
Two key themes identified in the data are presented. These comprise issues concerning therapeutic intervention and issues related to the employment opportunities of adults with autism.


CONCLUSIONS
In this paper the notion that people with autism must change in order to accommodate the non-autistic world is discussed. The author seeks to present an alternative construction of autism as a difference rather than a deficit or deviance and to examine the negotiation of a place for a person with autism within a neurologically typical dominated society.
Brownlow
Charlotte
C
The Open University, Centre for Childhood Development and Learning, Briggs Building, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK. c.l.brownlow@open.ac.uk
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016832:Employment, Supported / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012649:Self Concept; D013240:Stereotyping