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Cited by 305Disability Rights and RepresentationAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchDisability Education and Employment

Neurodiversity, Quality of Life, and Autistic Adults: Shifting Research and Professional Focuses onto Real-Life Challenges

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Robertson, Scott Michael·2009·Disability Studies Quarterly
DOI 10.18061/dsq.v30i1.1069
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Abstract

This article examines challenges to the quality of life experienced by autistic adults. The author, who is an autistic researcher, first shares how a neurodiversity perspective offers an important alternative to the deficit model of autism. Whereas the deficit model portrays autistic people as ill, broken, and in need of fixing, the neurodiversity perspective portrays it as a form of human diversity with associated strengths and difficulties. The article’s discussion then shifts to presenting Schalock’s (2000) quality of life framework as a neurodiversity-compatible lens through which domains of quality of life can be viewed. The article analyzes in detail these core domains in relation to the lives of autistic adults. The author suggests that a collaborative approach between professionals/researchers and autistic adults is needed to develop meaningful solutions to these challenges, and he presents possibilities for collaboration. KeywordsAutism, Neurodiversity, Quality of life, Autistic Adults

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  • Many Autistic individuals possess challenges in areas such as self-determination, social inclusion, well-being (material, emotional, and physical), personal development, interpersonal relationships, and rights.

    “Robertson (2009) asserts that many Autistic individuals possess challenges in areas such as self-determination, social inclusion, well-being (material, emotional, and physical), personal development, interpersonal relationships, and rights.”

    From Neurodiversity and Autism Intervention: Reconciling Perspectives Through a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention Framework (2022) · cites this paper as Robertson (2009)

  • A 'deficit model' of autism has largely dominated the scientific discourse surrounding autistic phenomenology.

    “A 'deficit model' of autism has largely dominated the scientific discourse surrounding autistic phenomenology [76].”

    From Autistic Cognition: Charting Routes to Anxiety (2021) · cites this paper as [76]

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Research works printed but not linked: 39

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Authors
Robertson, S. M.
Corresponding author
Robertson, Scott Michael
ORCID
Robertson, Scott Michael
Venue
Disability Studies Quarterly
Publisher
The Ohio State University Libraries
Published
2009-12-14
Volume
30
Issue
1
ISSN
  • 1041-5718 (ISSN-L)
  • 2159-8371
DOI
10.18061/dsq.v30i1.1069
OpenAlex
W2103314478
Cited by
305
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 4
FWCI
6.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc-nd
Locations
Disability Studies Quarterly (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Disability Rights and Representation
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Disability Education and Employment
Keywords
neurodiversity, quality of life, autistic adults, deficit model of autism, autistic self-advocacy

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