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Much of the research focused on youth living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has emphasized deficits related to social interactions, communication skills, repetitive behaviors, and comorbid conditions. This study utilized an innovative research methodology, Photovoice to describe the lived experience of youth diagnosed with ASD and to identify strategies, resources, and factors that support their resilience. By utilizing Photovoice, our study provided youth living with ASD with multiple modalities in which to “voice” their perspectives including photography, group discussion, individual interviews, and written narratives.
Methods
Using a qualitative research design, eleven youth with ASD (n=11) age 18-25, were recruited from urban and rural counties in the Midwest. The youth photographed their life experiences, attended an initial group introduction, two group photo-sharing and discussion sessions, a public exhibit of their photos, and an individual interview. Data for analysis included 201 pages of session transcripts, 184 pictures, and 18 pages of observational notes. We used thematic analysis to identify important topics and patterns in the data. Qualitative analysis software Nvivo9 was utilized to assist in data reduction and for the generation of themes across the data.
Results
Main themes that emerged from analyzing youth discussions, written narratives, and photography include the importance of: a.) having supportive adults, b.) fostering hobbies and interests, c.) access to nature and the outdoors, and d.) creating opportunities for self-determination. Youth also reported that being involved in the Photovoice project promoted positive peer support and self-esteem.
Conclusions and Implications
These findings provide insight into strategies, factors, and resources that support positive development and resilience for youth living with ASD. Additionally, this study demonstrates the utility of the Photovoice methodology as a research and practice tool for youth with ASD and other communication difficulties. This information is important for social work research and the design of services and policies focused on ensuring positive and healthy development of youth living with ASD.