Innovation through neurodiversity: Diversity is beneficial / Harriet AXBEY in Autism, 27-7 (October 2023)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 27-7 (October 2023) . - p.2193-2198 Titre : Innovation through neurodiversity: Diversity is beneficial Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Harriet AXBEY, Auteur ; Nadin BECKMANN, Auteur ; Sue FLETCHER-WATSON, Auteur ; Alisdair TULLO, Auteur ; Catherine J CROMPTON, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.2193-2198 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : autism  creativity  diffusion chains  neurodiversity  innovation Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Those experiencing high rapport or strong social connection are more likely to copy each other, or emulate each other?s ideas, either consciously or sub-consciously. In this study, we use this phenomenon to examine whether neurotype match or mismatch impacts degree of imitation in a creative task. We asked 71 participants in neurodiverse pairs (including both autistic and non-autistic participants) and single-neurotype pairs (both autistic or both non-autistic), where one participant builds and one observes, to build the tallest possible tower from dried spaghetti and plasticine. We measured the height of each tower and photographed them to create a stimulus set. We then asked independent raters (n=351, 62 autistic) to rate towers for degree of similarity. We hypothesised that lower similarity scores would be generated for towers created by people in neurodiverse pairs, showing positive innovation. Results showed towers built in the neurodiverse condition had least similarity, whereas towers built in the autistic and non-autistic conditions were significantly more similar. There was no difference in performance (height of tower) based on condition. Our results are the first to examine creativity within single-neurotype and neurodiverse pairs; they indicate that neurological diversity may be beneficial within a group setting. Subsequent research is required to examine how this interacts with divergent communication styles.Lay abstractNeurodivergences such as autism have been previously viewed from a negative, 'deficit', perspective. However, research is beginning to show the benefits of being autistic, and the positive outcomes of neurodiverse interactions. Diversity in the way we think can lead to diversity in the outcomes we produce. In this study, we asked independent raters to compare the similarity of towers built by autistic and non-autistic individuals in single-neurotype (both people were autistic or both people were non-autistic) and neurodiverse (one autistic person and one non-autistic person) pairs, to see whether people would be more or less likely to copy someone who shared their diagnostic status. Our results showed there was the least similarity in design in the neurodiverse pairs; people were less likely to copy the design of the previous builder if that person had a different autistic status to themselves. This could imply people felt more confident in copying someone with a similar neurotype, mirroring results from rapport studies where autistic individuals reported greater rapport with other autistic participants than with non-autistic participants. This also shows there was more evidence of creativity in designs, and innovation from stimulus design (the tower they had watched being built) when the pairs had different autistic diagnoses. This could inform practice and support involving autistic people, encouraging education and care providers to create more diverse methods and designs for support mechanisms, content delivery, and research data collection. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613231158685 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=510 [article] Innovation through neurodiversity: Diversity is beneficial [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Harriet AXBEY, Auteur ; Nadin BECKMANN, Auteur ; Sue FLETCHER-WATSON, Auteur ; Alisdair TULLO, Auteur ; Catherine J CROMPTON, Auteur . - p.2193-2198. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 27-7 (October 2023) . - p.2193-2198 Mots-clés : autism  creativity  diffusion chains  neurodiversity  innovation Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Those experiencing high rapport or strong social connection are more likely to copy each other, or emulate each other?s ideas, either consciously or sub-consciously. In this study, we use this phenomenon to examine whether neurotype match or mismatch impacts degree of imitation in a creative task. We asked 71 participants in neurodiverse pairs (including both autistic and non-autistic participants) and single-neurotype pairs (both autistic or both non-autistic), where one participant builds and one observes, to build the tallest possible tower from dried spaghetti and plasticine. We measured the height of each tower and photographed them to create a stimulus set. We then asked independent raters (n=351, 62 autistic) to rate towers for degree of similarity. We hypothesised that lower similarity scores would be generated for towers created by people in neurodiverse pairs, showing positive innovation. Results showed towers built in the neurodiverse condition had least similarity, whereas towers built in the autistic and non-autistic conditions were significantly more similar. There was no difference in performance (height of tower) based on condition. Our results are the first to examine creativity within single-neurotype and neurodiverse pairs; they indicate that neurological diversity may be beneficial within a group setting. Subsequent research is required to examine how this interacts with divergent communication styles.Lay abstractNeurodivergences such as autism have been previously viewed from a negative, 'deficit', perspective. However, research is beginning to show the benefits of being autistic, and the positive outcomes of neurodiverse interactions. Diversity in the way we think can lead to diversity in the outcomes we produce. In this study, we asked independent raters to compare the similarity of towers built by autistic and non-autistic individuals in single-neurotype (both people were autistic or both people were non-autistic) and neurodiverse (one autistic person and one non-autistic person) pairs, to see whether people would be more or less likely to copy someone who shared their diagnostic status. Our results showed there was the least similarity in design in the neurodiverse pairs; people were less likely to copy the design of the previous builder if that person had a different autistic status to themselves. This could imply people felt more confident in copying someone with a similar neurotype, mirroring results from rapport studies where autistic individuals reported greater rapport with other autistic participants than with non-autistic participants. This also shows there was more evidence of creativity in designs, and innovation from stimulus design (the tower they had watched being built) when the pairs had different autistic diagnoses. This could inform practice and support involving autistic people, encouraging education and care providers to create more diverse methods and designs for support mechanisms, content delivery, and research data collection. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613231158685 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=510

œSomeone like-minded in a big place �: Autistic young adults’ attitudes towards autistic peer support in mainstream education / Catherine J. CROMPTON in Autism, 27-1 (January 2023)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 27-1 (January 2023) . - p.76-91 Titre : œSomeone like-minded in a big place �: Autistic young adults’ attitudes towards autistic peer support in mainstream education Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Catherine J. CROMPTON, Auteur ; Sonny HALLETT, Auteur ; Harriet AXBEY, Auteur ; Christine MCAULIFFE, Auteur ; Katie CEBULA, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.76-91 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : adolescence  autism  mainstream education  mental health  neurodevelopmental conditions  neurodiversity  peer support  school Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Autistic young people in mainstream schools often experience low levels of peer social support, have negative perceptions of their differences and feel disconnected from their school community. Previous research findings have suggested that encouraging autistic young people to explore autistic culture and spending time with autistic peers may be associated with more positive outcomes. Autism-specific peer support is a framework that may support this process. Thirteen participants (eight male/five female) completed semi-structured interviews, exploring the idea of autism-specific peer support within mainstream schools and the practicalities of how it may work within a school setting. Thematic analysis was applied, and three themes are reported: (1) neurodiversity and an ethos of inclusivity, (2) flexibility and (3) benefits and challenges of embedding peer support in the wider school community. The idea of autism-specific peer support for autistic pupils in mainstream secondary schools was generally positively received. Peer support may provide a unique opportunity for autistic pupils to interact in a natural, comfortable way; share useful strategies; and build their identities. Nevertheless, careful design, training and ongoing support, alongside awareness of the rights, needs and preferences of individual pupils involved are likely to be crucial in ensuring the success of any peer support programme. Lay abstract Autistic young people may struggle in mainstream schools and feel disconnected from their peers and their school. We know that autistic adults can benefit from spending time with other autistic people, but we don’t know if this is the case for younger autistic people. We conducted interviews with 13 autistic young adults in the United Kingdom who recently left mainstream schooling. We asked them if they would have been interested in being involved in autistic peer support when they were at school, and if so, what that peer support should look like. Results indicated that autistic young people were enthusiastic about the idea of peer support. They thought it was important that peer support was flexible to suit their needs at different times, as well as inclusive, positive, and embracing neurodiversity. They also discussed the potential benefits and difficulties of having a peer support system within a school setting. This adds to the growing body of research on the potential benefits of autistic-autistic interactions on autistic people’s well-being and sense of belonging. Findings can be used to help design pilot peer support projects in schools that can be tested to see how effective they are. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613221081189 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=491 [article]  œSomeone like-minded in a big place �: Autistic young adults’ attitudes towards autistic peer support in mainstream education [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Catherine J. CROMPTON, Auteur ; Sonny HALLETT, Auteur ; Harriet AXBEY, Auteur ; Christine MCAULIFFE, Auteur ; Katie CEBULA, Auteur . - p.76-91. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 27-1 (January 2023) . - p.76-91 Mots-clés : adolescence  autism  mainstream education  mental health  neurodevelopmental conditions  neurodiversity  peer support  school Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Autistic young people in mainstream schools often experience low levels of peer social support, have negative perceptions of their differences and feel disconnected from their school community. Previous research findings have suggested that encouraging autistic young people to explore autistic culture and spending time with autistic peers may be associated with more positive outcomes. Autism-specific peer support is a framework that may support this process. Thirteen participants (eight male/five female) completed semi-structured interviews, exploring the idea of autism-specific peer support within mainstream schools and the practicalities of how it may work within a school setting. Thematic analysis was applied, and three themes are reported: (1) neurodiversity and an ethos of inclusivity, (2) flexibility and (3) benefits and challenges of embedding peer support in the wider school community. The idea of autism-specific peer support for autistic pupils in mainstream secondary schools was generally positively received. Peer support may provide a unique opportunity for autistic pupils to interact in a natural, comfortable way; share useful strategies; and build their identities. Nevertheless, careful design, training and ongoing support, alongside awareness of the rights, needs and preferences of individual pupils involved are likely to be crucial in ensuring the success of any peer support programme. Lay abstract Autistic young people may struggle in mainstream schools and feel disconnected from their peers and their school. We know that autistic adults can benefit from spending time with other autistic people, but we don’t know if this is the case for younger autistic people. We conducted interviews with 13 autistic young adults in the United Kingdom who recently left mainstream schooling. We asked them if they would have been interested in being involved in autistic peer support when they were at school, and if so, what that peer support should look like. Results indicated that autistic young people were enthusiastic about the idea of peer support. They thought it was important that peer support was flexible to suit their needs at different times, as well as inclusive, positive, and embracing neurodiversity. They also discussed the potential benefits and difficulties of having a peer support system within a school setting. This adds to the growing body of research on the potential benefits of autistic-autistic interactions on autistic people’s well-being and sense of belonging. Findings can be used to help design pilot peer support projects in schools that can be tested to see how effective they are. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613221081189 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=491

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