The DOI matches its Crossref record; 20 of the 20 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The `not guilty verdict': Psychological reactions to a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome in adulthood
Abstract
Asperger syndrome is a relatively new diagnostic classification. A number of factors make receiving a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome in adulthood a unique experience. This study used a phenomenological approach to examine the experiences of 10 adults receiving such a diagnosis. Results suggested that six major themes were associated with receiving a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome. Individuals discussed their negative life experiences and their experience of services prior to diagnosis, which led to individuals holding certain beliefs about the symptoms of Asperger syndrome. These beliefs had an effect on the formation of each individual's perceived self-identity. Participants made links between how they felt when they received the diagnosis and their current beliefs about both their ;symptoms' and themselves. Finally, participants highlighted the importance of the societal view of Asperger syndrome. The implications of these findings are reappraised in the context of previous research and the wider literature on identity formation.
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In the citing paper
“Mothers involved in their adult children's diagnosis expressed positive reactions to the diagnosis (Raymond-Barker et al., 2018), but autistic adults described both positive and negative reactions from their parents (Crane et al., 2018; Punshon et al., 2009).”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Punshon et al., 2009
In the citing paper
“Adults expressed that even when families were accepting, misconceptions about autism made support difficult (Crane et al., 2018; Punshon et al., 2009).”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Punshon et al., 2009
In the citing paper
“Adults frequently described lifelong feelings of being different from peers, social isolation and bullying prior to diagnosis (Hickey et al., 2018; Lewis, 2016b; Punshon et al., 2009).”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Punshon et al., 2009
In the citing paper
“Lack of understanding from families and wider community.”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Punshon et al. (2009)
In the citing paper
“trying to mask differences.”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Punshon et al. (2009)
In the citing paper
“Adults described experiences of not”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Punshon et al. (2009)
In the citing paper
“Diagnosis allowed adults to explain their difficulties and reduce self-blame.”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Punshon et al. (2009)
In the citing paper
“misunderstandings and misdiagnosis in mental health services”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Punshon et al. (2009)
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Metadata
- Authors
- Punshon, C., Skirrow, P., & Murphy, G.
- Affiliations
- Mersey Care NHS Trust (GB)
- University of Kent (GB)
- Venue
- Autism
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2009-05
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 265-283
- ISSN
- 1362-3613 (ISSN-L)
- 1461-7005
- OpenAlex
- W2030351972
- Cited by
- 165
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 2.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Autism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Lancaster EPrints (Lancaster University) (submittedVersion)
- Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychology and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
- Keywords
- Asperger syndrome, adult diagnosis, diagnostic experience, self-identity, identity construction, life experience, autism services
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Age Factors, Attitude to Health, Cognition Disorders, Family, Female, Humans, Interview, Psychological, Life Change Events, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Self Concept, Social Identification, Asperger Syndrome, Friends
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