Autistic women?s experiences of self-compassion after receiving their diagnosis in adulthood / Rosemarie B. WILSON in Autism, 27-5 (July 2023)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 27-5 (July 2023) . - p.1336-1347 Titre : Autistic women?s experiences of self-compassion after receiving their diagnosis in adulthood Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Rosemarie B. WILSON, Auteur ; Andrew R. THOMPSON, Auteur ; Georgina ROWSE, Auteur ; Richard SMITH, Auteur ; Amber-Sophie DUGDALE, Auteur ; Megan FREETH, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1336-1347 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : adults;autistic women;diagnosis;health services;interpretative phenomenological analysis;lived experience;qualitative research;self-compassion Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Knowledge of autistic individuals' experiences of self-compassion is very limited. This study investigated autistic women?s experiences of self-compassion after receiving their diagnosis in adulthood. Eleven autistic women completed semi-structured interviews analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three super-ordinate themes were identified: "Disconnect between the autistic self and experience of societal expectations" (the burden of conformity; autism is misunderstood; social challenges; mental health impact); "Unmasking: the process of self-understanding" (autonomy and self-compassion; validation and grief) and "Impact on relationships" (diagnosis disclosure dilemmas; connection and understanding). Frustration with society?s misconceptions of autism and unhelpful thinking styles were presented as barriers to self-compassion. Most participants reported that their diagnosis had led to the development of a greater sense of self-understanding, which facilitated self-compassion. Some participants suggested their own increased understanding of autism facilitated their compassion towards others. Findings from this study have clinical implications for increasing understanding about autistic women?s experiences of self-compassion and possibly ways to facilitate its development, to enhance well-being. Lay abstract Knowledge of autistic individuals' experiences of self-compassion is very limited. This study investigated autistic women?s experiences of self-compassion after receiving their diagnosis in adulthood. Eleven autistic women were interviewed about their experiences of receiving their diagnosis in adulthood and their experiences of self-compassion. Systematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed common themes in the participants' experiences. Participants reported that their autism diagnosis helped them to better understand themselves, particularly when reflecting on problematic past experiences. After receiving an autism diagnosis, participants described being able to relate to themselves with greater self-kindness compared to previous self-criticism; this included allowing themselves to assert their needs and engage in self-care activities. Participants spoke about having difficult social experiences, including feeling pressure to conform to expectations in society and often feeling misunderstood. The findings highlight the barriers autistic women face obtaining their diagnoses and demonstrate the need for autism training for professionals to support early identification. Findings from this study suggest that interventions aimed at developing self-compassion could support and enhance autistic women?s well-being. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613221136752 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=507 [article] Autistic women?s experiences of self-compassion after receiving their diagnosis in adulthood [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Rosemarie B. WILSON, Auteur ; Andrew R. THOMPSON, Auteur ; Georgina ROWSE, Auteur ; Richard SMITH, Auteur ; Amber-Sophie DUGDALE, Auteur ; Megan FREETH, Auteur . - p.1336-1347. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 27-5 (July 2023) . - p.1336-1347 Mots-clés : adults;autistic women;diagnosis;health services;interpretative phenomenological analysis;lived experience;qualitative research;self-compassion Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Knowledge of autistic individuals' experiences of self-compassion is very limited. This study investigated autistic women?s experiences of self-compassion after receiving their diagnosis in adulthood. Eleven autistic women completed semi-structured interviews analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three super-ordinate themes were identified: "Disconnect between the autistic self and experience of societal expectations" (the burden of conformity; autism is misunderstood; social challenges; mental health impact); "Unmasking: the process of self-understanding" (autonomy and self-compassion; validation and grief) and "Impact on relationships" (diagnosis disclosure dilemmas; connection and understanding). Frustration with society?s misconceptions of autism and unhelpful thinking styles were presented as barriers to self-compassion. Most participants reported that their diagnosis had led to the development of a greater sense of self-understanding, which facilitated self-compassion. Some participants suggested their own increased understanding of autism facilitated their compassion towards others. Findings from this study have clinical implications for increasing understanding about autistic women?s experiences of self-compassion and possibly ways to facilitate its development, to enhance well-being. Lay abstract Knowledge of autistic individuals' experiences of self-compassion is very limited. This study investigated autistic women?s experiences of self-compassion after receiving their diagnosis in adulthood. Eleven autistic women were interviewed about their experiences of receiving their diagnosis in adulthood and their experiences of self-compassion. Systematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed common themes in the participants' experiences. Participants reported that their autism diagnosis helped them to better understand themselves, particularly when reflecting on problematic past experiences. After receiving an autism diagnosis, participants described being able to relate to themselves with greater self-kindness compared to previous self-criticism; this included allowing themselves to assert their needs and engage in self-care activities. Participants spoke about having difficult social experiences, including feeling pressure to conform to expectations in society and often feeling misunderstood. The findings highlight the barriers autistic women face obtaining their diagnoses and demonstrate the need for autism training for professionals to support early identification. Findings from this study suggest that interventions aimed at developing self-compassion could support and enhance autistic women?s well-being. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613221136752 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=507

Intense connection and love: The experiences of autistic mothers / Amber-Sophie DUGDALE in Autism, 26-7 (October 2022)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 26-7 (October 2022) . - p.1973-1984 Titre : Intense connection and love: The experiences of autistic mothers Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Amber-Sophie DUGDALE, Auteur ; Andrew R. THOMPSON, Auteur ; Alexandra LEEDHAM, Auteur ; Nigel BEAIL, Auteur ; Megan 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=484 [article] Intense connection and love: The experiences of autistic mothers [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Amber-Sophie DUGDALE, Auteur ; Andrew R. THOMPSON, Auteur ; Alexandra LEEDHAM, Auteur ; Nigel BEAIL, Auteur ; Megan FREETH, Auteur . - p.1973-1984. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 26-7 (October 2022) . - 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=484

---

1 (1 - 2 / 2)