Autismspektrumtillstånd och stigma : Mellan konstruktion och hantering

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this study is to examine depictions of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to reach an understanding of how they perceive their diagnosis. Furthermore the purpose of this study is to reach an understanding of how sense of stigmatisation can be related to the diagnosis and how depictions of ASD can affect the individual’s sense of stigmatisation. The study is based on narrative analysis of autobiographies by individuals diagnosed with ASD. The study is also based on document analysis of material containing facts about ASD. The theoretical approach used in the study is stigma theory. The study shows that individuals diagnosed with ASD perceive their diagnosis as part of their personality. Furthermore the study shows that receiving the diagnosis contributes to sense of stigma, but also contributes to self perception. The analysis discusses how knowledge of perceptions of stigma related to the diagnosis can be useful to professionals working with individuals with ASD.