Adaptation or recognition of the autistic subject? Reimagining autistic work life: Deconstructing the notion of “real jobs” in the Swedish autistic self-advocacy movement

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Bertilsdotter Rosqvist, H. & Keisu, B. (2012). Adaptation or recognition of the autistic subject? Reimagining autistic work life: Deconstructing the notion of “real jobs” in the Swedish autistic self-advocacy movement. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 37(3), 203-212. https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-2012-0615

Publication date: 1 Jan 2012 Added to AutiHub: 4 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
2
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 2 (50.0%)
  1. Hanna Bertilsdotter Rosqvist *
  2. Britt‐Inger Keisu

Abstract

Several researchers stress the importance of listening to autistic adults' own experiences of work and related issues. This paper critically explores an ambivalent discourse of empowerment using notions of employment and work life in the Swedish autistic self-advocacy movement. The discourse analysis is based on articles from the Swedish autistic self-advocacy magazine Empowerment. In the data, three key themes linked to the notion of work are identified: alternative meanings of a “real job”, formulations of work-related problems, and solutions to these problems. We identify two storylines. The first, more dominant one, we call the recreated norm storyline. This storyline, in line with an individual/medical perspective on autism as deficit, represents autism as causing people with autism to have difficulties finding and keeping jobs in the open labour market and as entailing employment support. The second, counter narrative we call the challenged norm storyline. In line with the social model of disability, it focuses on structural barriers and discrimination against people with autism on the labour market.

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Cited references
17
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
0 / 17 (0.0%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
0 / 28 (0.0%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 0 / 1 (0.0%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 0 / 28 (0.0%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
1 / 28 (3.6%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 1 / 28 (3.6%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
1 / 1 (100.0%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 1 / 28 (3.6%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 1 / 1 (100.0%).
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