Commentary on “Thinking differently? Autism and quality of life”

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Waldock, K. E. (2019). Commentary on “Thinking differently? Autism and quality of life”. Tizard Learning Disability Review, 24(2), 77-81. https://doi.org/10.1108/tldr-02-2019-0006

Publication date: 1 Apr 2019 Added to AutiHub: 7 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
1
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 1 (100.0%)
  1. Krysia Emily Waldock *

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the possible impact of normalisation on the perceptions of quality of life (QoL) and the impact of this association on the research to date. This commentary reflects on the implications of limiting QoL research to autistic people who are perceived to be “more able”. Design/methodology/approach This commentary discusses the implications of undertaking QoL research in the field of autism. Findings This commentary argues for further consideration of the autistic voice in QoL research. Researcher epistemology and life experience, including experience of autistic people, is examined in terms of how QoL might be perceived and attributed. Further participatory research in the field of quality of life of autistic people, including those with a learning disability and engagement with a variety of autistic people, is called for. Originality/value This commentary suggests that the existing definitions of QoL, founded on principles of normalisation, may not be completely applicable to autistic people, and that new ways of both defining and measuring QoL might be needed.

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These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:31.

Cited references
25
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
4 / 25 (16.0%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
4 / 41 (9.8%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 4 / 16 (25.0%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 3 / 38 (7.9%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
16 / 41 (39.0%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 15 / 38 (39.5%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
12 / 16 (75.0%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 12 / 41 (29.3%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 12 / 15 (80.0%).
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