'I was exhausted trying to figure it out': The experiences of females receiving an autism diagnosis in middle to late adulthood / A. LEEDHAM in Autism, 24-1 (January 2020)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 24-1 (January 2020) . - p.135-146 Titre : 'I was exhausted trying to figure it out': The experiences of females receiving an autism diagnosis in middle to late adulthood Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : A. LEEDHAM, Auteur ; A. R. THOMPSON, Auteur ; R. SMITH, Auteur ; M. FREETH, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.135-146 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis  autism diagnosis  autistic female  middle to late adulthood Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Females often receive autism spectrum condition diagnoses later than males, leaving needs misunderstood. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of female adults diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition in middle to late adulthood. Eleven autistic females diagnosed over the age of 40 years completed semi-structured interviews, analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four superordinate themes emerged: A hidden condition (pretending to be normal and fitting in; mental health and mislabelling), The process of acceptance (initial reactions and search for understanding; re-living life through a new lens), The impact of others post-diagnosis (initial reactions; stereotyped assumptions), and A new identity on the autism spectrum (negotiating relationships, connections and community; changing well-being and views of the self; the meaning of diagnosis). Findings highlight several factors not previously identified that affect late diagnosis in females, including widespread limited understandings of others. Diagnosis was experienced by several participants as facilitating transition from being self-critical to self-compassionate, coupled with an increased sense of agency. Participants experienced a change in identity that enabled greater acceptance and understanding of the self. However, this was painful to adjust to at such a late stage. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1362361319853442 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=414 [article] 'I was exhausted trying to figure it out': The experiences of females receiving an autism diagnosis in middle to late adulthood [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / A. LEEDHAM, Auteur ; A. R. THOMPSON, Auteur ; R. SMITH, Auteur ; M. FREETH, Auteur . - p.135-146. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 24-1 (January 2020) . - p.135-146 Mots-clés : Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis  autism diagnosis  autistic female  middle to late adulthood Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Females often receive autism spectrum condition diagnoses later than males, leaving needs misunderstood. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of female adults diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition in middle to late adulthood. Eleven autistic females diagnosed over the age of 40 years completed semi-structured interviews, analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four superordinate themes emerged: A hidden condition (pretending to be normal and fitting in; mental health and mislabelling), The process of acceptance (initial reactions and search for understanding; re-living life through a new lens), The impact of others post-diagnosis (initial reactions; stereotyped assumptions), and A new identity on the autism spectrum (negotiating relationships, connections and community; changing well-being and views of the self; the meaning of diagnosis). Findings highlight several factors not previously identified that affect late diagnosis in females, including widespread limited understandings of others. Diagnosis was experienced by several participants as facilitating transition from being self-critical to self-compassionate, coupled with an increased sense of agency. Participants experienced a change in identity that enabled greater acceptance and understanding of the self. However, this was painful to adjust to at such a late stage. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1362361319853442 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=414

Intense connection and love: The experiences of autistic mothers / A. S. DUGDALE in Autism, 25-7 (October 2021)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 25-7 (October 2021) . - p.1973-1984 Titre : Intense connection and love: The experiences of autistic mothers Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : A. S. DUGDALE, Auteur ; A. R. THOMPSON, Auteur ; A. LEEDHAM, Auteur ; N. BEAIL, Auteur ; M. FREETH, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1973-1984 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Adult  Autism Spectrum Disorder  Autistic Disorder  Child  Emotions  Female  Humans  Love  Mothers  Pregnancy  Qualitative Research  autistic mother  interpretative phenomenological analysis  lived experience  parenting Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : For many women, adulthood involves becoming a mother. Knowledge of how motherhood is experienced by autistic women is currently poor. Poor knowledge has a range of negative consequences and can lead to inappropriate support. In this study, nine autistic women were interviewed about their experiences of motherhood. Seven of the nine mothers had an officially diagnosed autistic child, the final two mothers also suspected at least one of their children to be autistic. Systematic in-depth analysis of interview transcripts identified a range of common themes. Participants largely experienced motherhood as joyful, rewarding, and enjoyable, though managing children's needs had a profound personal impact. Participants reflected on the need for self-care and self-acceptance, resulting in personal growth and adaptation. Participants also spoke of strong bonds, feelings of intense connection, and a range of shared experiences with their children. It was also clear that autistic motherhood is associated with a series of challenges unlikely to be experienced by non-autistic mothers, including the necessity of negotiating misunderstandings from others. The findings demonstrate that, generally, professionals need to be better educated on how autism presents in adulthood, including the fact that autistic women often engage in behaviour to mask their true self. Professionals need to know that there is potential for mismatching between emotional experience and facial expression, that autistic women have sensory needs (especially in pregnancy). Professionals frequently struggle to effectively take the needs and perspectives of autistic mothers into account, resulting in profoundly negative consequences for the mother. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613211005987 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=451 [article] Intense connection and love: The experiences of autistic mothers [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / A. S. DUGDALE, Auteur ; A. R. THOMPSON, Auteur ; A. LEEDHAM, Auteur ; N. BEAIL, Auteur ; M. FREETH, Auteur . - p.1973-1984. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 25-7 (October 2021) . - p.1973-1984 Mots-clés : Adult  Autism Spectrum Disorder  Autistic Disorder  Child  Emotions  Female  Humans  Love  Mothers  Pregnancy  Qualitative Research  autistic mother  interpretative phenomenological analysis  lived experience  parenting Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : For many women, adulthood involves becoming a mother. Knowledge of how motherhood is experienced by autistic women is currently poor. Poor knowledge has a range of negative consequences and can lead to inappropriate support. In this study, nine autistic women were interviewed about their experiences of motherhood. Seven of the nine mothers had an officially diagnosed autistic child, the final two mothers also suspected at least one of their children to be autistic. Systematic in-depth analysis of interview transcripts identified a range of common themes. Participants largely experienced motherhood as joyful, rewarding, and enjoyable, though managing children's needs had a profound personal impact. Participants reflected on the need for self-care and self-acceptance, resulting in personal growth and adaptation. Participants also spoke of strong bonds, feelings of intense connection, and a range of shared experiences with their children. It was also clear that autistic motherhood is associated with a series of challenges unlikely to be experienced by non-autistic mothers, including the necessity of negotiating misunderstandings from others. The findings demonstrate that, generally, professionals need to be better educated on how autism presents in adulthood, including the fact that autistic women often engage in behaviour to mask their true self. Professionals need to know that there is potential for mismatching between emotional experience and facial expression, that autistic women have sensory needs (especially in pregnancy). Professionals frequently struggle to effectively take the needs and perspectives of autistic mothers into account, resulting in profoundly negative consequences for the mother. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613211005987 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=451

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