Participant 15 mentioned that she thinks her friend has autism because “she talks weirdly” and “gets confused with past tense and present tense”. Although this may be a case with some people with autism, and she could correctly answer the following questions regarding core attributes of individuals with autism (i.e., may need help with learning how to read or write, may have difficulty in talking or expressing themselves), if such a feature is her only way to determine whether someone has autism or not, this may lead her to a serious misunderstanding and misinterpretation.
A few students commented about what a person would look like if he or she has autism, and how they would recognise a person with autism by appearance, according to their …show more content…
Participant 9 and Participant 11, particularly, were able to demonstrate knowledge of autism, making reference to their own experience with their friends. They were willing to make more friends with autism, and they displayed positive attitudes toward people with any disability. They also suggested some possible ways of supporting people with autism.
On the other hand, there were some students who disclosed their negative experience with peers with autism. These students tend to be less accepting towards people with autism. Earlier in the interview, Participant 18 described some disruptive and problematic behaviours (e.g., aggressive, throwing things, running out of school with out permission, stealing things from people, and disturbing everyone) her peer with autism often displayed. Later in the interview when asked SAQ questions, she said she would not want to do anything with people with autism.
Participant 18: “Well I normally like to be friends with someone who doesn’t have any other friends, but then if they have autism and if I talk to them, I think they might get a little annoyed and start hating me. I would rather not go talk to them.”
Interviewer: “Would you go to the movies with
A few students commented about what a person would look like if he or she has autism, and how they would recognise a person with autism by appearance, according to their …show more content…
Participant 9 and Participant 11, particularly, were able to demonstrate knowledge of autism, making reference to their own experience with their friends. They were willing to make more friends with autism, and they displayed positive attitudes toward people with any disability. They also suggested some possible ways of supporting people with autism.
On the other hand, there were some students who disclosed their negative experience with peers with autism. These students tend to be less accepting towards people with autism. Earlier in the interview, Participant 18 described some disruptive and problematic behaviours (e.g., aggressive, throwing things, running out of school with out permission, stealing things from people, and disturbing everyone) her peer with autism often displayed. Later in the interview when asked SAQ questions, she said she would not want to do anything with people with autism.
Participant 18: “Well I normally like to be friends with someone who doesn’t have any other friends, but then if they have autism and if I talk to them, I think they might get a little annoyed and start hating me. I would rather not go talk to them.”
Interviewer: “Would you go to the movies with