Asperger’s syndrome: differences between parents’ understanding and those diagnosed

Authors:
CLARKE Juanne, van AMEROM Gudrun
Journal article citation:
Social Work in Health Care, 46(3), 2008, pp.85-106.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA

This paper reports on a content analysis of blogs written by people with Asperger’s syndrome, and by parents and carers of people with this condition. The 30 blogs from each of these perspectives demonstrates a divergence in views. Parents and carers usually accept the medical definition of the condition and seek help and/or a cure. Those with Asperger’s, in contrast, object to the medicalising and pathologising of their condition, arguing that they are happy with who they are. Any problems they may have suffered result from society’s attitudes and are not inherent in their condition. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street,  Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).

Subject terms:
parents, service users, stereotyped attitudes, user views, Aspergers syndrome, attitudes, carers;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Canada
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1541-034X
ISSN print:
0098-1389

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