Naturally Connected Neurodiversity-
MA research project and dissertation
This research project qualitatively explores the lived experiences and impact of late-diagnosis/ identification in autistic women and consider the therapeutic and wellbeing connection with the natural environment as a refuge from societal expectations. Natural connections have the potential for positive impact in this search for strategies for sensory overwhelm or sensory connection, validation and insight into reviewing often decades of lived experiences. Environmental anthropological theories have considered how the natural relationship can relate to subjective identity and agency.
Aims of the research project:
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Identify if a late-stage autistic diagnosis creates a liminal experience of narrative re-alignment and shift in personal history and if so, how does this manifest itself?
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Investigate how this phenomenological subjective experience may contrast with current diagnostic and common cultural perceptions of autism.
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Evaluate the potential role of connections with a natural environment and compare the potential impact of this as strategies for managing autistic traits and self-acceptance.
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The dissertation reviews how the cultural understandings of autism may be different to the personal experience and how this changes autistic women’s understanding of their own life history. The project explores an understanding of phenomenology (individual experience), relativism and a search for personal discourse/agency.
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This project aims to give voice to the lived experience of autistic women. It utilises anthropological and ethnographic research methodology, journalistic analysis and scientific data collection to improve neurodiversity understanding, human requirement for natural connections and collaboration between organisations and support groups.
The project aligns with anthropological environmental connections and natural therapies as well as phenomenology and the search for personal discourse and agency. This provides the scope for a detailed analysis of the lived experience and a deeper understanding of potential frameworks that may provide more sustainable support mechanisms. Though this particular research question is linked to a very particular segment of neurodiversity, the misalignment between the female experience, the diagnostic assessment process, minimal support frameworks and the lack of appreciation of natural connection as a therapeutic support tool are applicable to other neurodivergent communities.
Download the completed MA dissertation
Contact
If you are interested in speaking to me about this project, please contact me on kac45@kent.ac.uk