The autistic voice and creative methodologies

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

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Ridout, S. (2017). The autistic voice and creative methodologies. Qualitative Research Journal, 17(1), 52-64. https://doi.org/10.1108/qrj-07-2016-0046

Publication date: 6 Feb 2017 Added to AutiHub: 24 Sep 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) OpenAlex source

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Authors

Publication authors
1
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 1 (100.0%)
  1. Susy Ridout *

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to recognise communication as a central challenge between autistic and non-autistic individuals as the autistic voice is not silent, but lacks involvement at any level other than that of the observed participant (Milton and Bracher, 2013; NAS and Ask Autism, 2014; Parsons et al., 2009). The main research question, therefore, explores data to understand how some autistic individuals conceptualise their experiences. Design/methodology/approach The research design, informed by autistic people, used a flexible methodology to accommodate their communication preferences. Methods contextualised autistic narratives regarding support requirements and service provision and located power within these, acknowledging autistic individuals as the expert “insider”. This is critical in tackling access to services and social barriers to inclusion impacting negatively on well-being. Visual and written data were gathered using collage and narrative diary methods, and presented and analysed as three individual case studies (anonymised as Michael, Sophie and Peter) and as a meta-analysis providing a broad picture of themes. Findings Findings showed similarities and differences in a number of key areas, so highlighting the importance of the smaller narratives within the broad picture of autism. Originality/value This study’s key contribution to autism research is that it blends IPA, narrative analysis and discourse analysis with distinct sites of analysis (narrative process, images of autism, audiencing, turning points and discourse). Furthermore, the flexible methodology employed facilitates inclusion of autistic voices by embracing their diverse communication preferences.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 2 Oct 2026 07:52.

Cited references
59
With a DOI
17
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
36
7 / 59 (11.9%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
23 / 59 (39.0%)
References with detected author names
36 / 59 (61.0%)
Without detected author names
23
Without a structured title
10
Without a stable identifier
29
References with raw author names still to review
10
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
52
From DOI or external metadata
52
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
20
15 / 52 (28.8%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 37 / 52 (71.2%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
7 / 52 (13.5%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 7 / 15 (46.7%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 6 / 48 (12.5%).
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