Alternative stories about a girl with autism spectrum disorder

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this research voyage of discovery, we story the voices of me (the research inquirer),my family and a teacher about our experience with a young woman with AutismSpectrum Disorder – my youngest sister Leyna.1 This is our attempt to give Leyna and(dis)ability a voice. Their voices have been silenced from research for too long.I try to explain a narrative research lens as a foundation for this document – one thatviews autism not as a disorder, but as a difference that needs to be embraced. Peopleoften live their lives according to the problem stories they tell themselves, and do notsee the alternative stories that surround them every day. On this voyage I therefore tellour story to document the inspirational experiences that people with autism bringabout in the lives of those supporting them. Little research that focuses on alternativestories about autism has been done on a global scale. Moreover, little research hasbeen done on autism specifically in the South African context.This thesis relates the stories of the people involved in caring for my sister withautism. It brings a message of hope and suggests possibilities for future researchvoyages about autism.1 Pseudonym

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University