ERIC Number: EJ770979
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Jun
Pages: 6
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0952-3383
EISSN: N/A
Standing Out and Fitting In: A Report on a Support Group for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome Using a Personal Account
MacLeod, Andrea; Johnston, Paula
British Journal of Special Education, v34 n2 p83-88 Jun 2007
In this article, Andrea MacLeod, lecturer in autism studies at the University of Birmingham, and Paula Johnston, a woman with Asperger syndrome who now focuses on writing and speaking about her condition, consider the function of specialist group interventions for individuals with Asperger syndrome. These authors report on one model--a discussion and support group aimed primarily at young adults. The self-report of a former participant, a woman with Asperger syndrome, is used as a case study to illustrate issues and processes. Her report suggests that peer support and peer learning should be recognised as significant goals of such interventions and that interventions should be planned to respond to the needs that follow diagnosis. The authors suggest that clinical and educational services need to work together to ensure that children and young people have immediate access to such support models, which should be viewed as preventative therapies. This article provides evidence that first-hand accounts can offer new insights into how such interventions are experienced by those involved. Andrea MacLeod and Paula Johnston argue that future research in this area should seek to employ participatory methodologies.
Descriptors: Therapy, Young Adults, Asperger Syndrome, Clinical Psychology, Social Support Groups, Case Studies, Self Disclosure (Individuals), Caseworker Approach, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (Birmingham)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A