Project description 

Autistic Role Models is a research project anchored at the Department of Philosophy and History and Ideas, which investigates and communicates how autistic role models can help people on the autism spectrum improve their quality of life. The idea is that young people on the spectrum for the most part evolve in an environment that fails to provide them with viable models of the good life. The ambient culture is not tailored to them. Our aim is to facilitate the creation of autistic culture by relaying successful autistic life experiences to those who might need them most. In the process, we hope to reduce the self-stigma and hopelessness experienced in members of this group and increase their self-esteem and quality of life. 

The project is intended to be an example of humanistic innovation: the goal is to create value in society based on humanistic research in quality of life. Beside scientific publications, the project output consists primarily in a set of stories told by people with autism for people with autism. The stories are conveyed as podcasts and videos. By giving people with autism access to these stories we hope to provide them with an enriched and more fitting set of life options.  

Our Motivation 

Autistic Role Models is fueled by an interest in a broad, philosophical conception of quality of life and its particular application to people on the spectrum. We are especially motivated by newer investigations that show that the quality of life for people with autism is lower than that of neurotypical people.  

Our project takes its start in research showing that a majority of adults on the autism spectrum struggle with feelings of hopelessness, and experience difficulties imagining a positive future. These difficulties revolve around the struggles that these people have living and imagining themselves living stereotypical (neurotypical) lives. It is our belief that alternative conceptions of the good life are needed. Such alternatives can be portrayed through autistic role models, all of whom have managed to find their own versions of a good life. 

What is a role model? 

The conception of a role model that we are working with is distinct from that of an idol.  

In our previous research, people with autism have emphasized that an autistic role model is not a person with extraordinary success or abilities. There is plenty such stories but a lack of stories portraying success in the daily life of ordinary people with autism. These are the stories that we emphasize, and which can be found in our project and on this website. These are the stories that most people with autism in our target group can identify with. 

Our role models have a dual function. They are examples of alternative versions of a good life lived with autism. At the same time, they function as guides providing inspiration on how to navigate neurotypical society. 

Purpose 

Autistic Role Models: Positive pedagogy for young people on the autism spectrum initially aims to help young people with autism achieve greater quality of life and develop a positive vision of their future. We wish to design and establish an educational practice that introduces autistic role models to young people on the autism spectrum through face-to-face meetings, interactive video clips and other forms of media. The role models are selected in collaboration with members of the autism community and represent young adults on the autism spectrum who have found their version of the good life. Furthermore, the project also aims to develop subsequent materials that can convey the histories of Autistic Role Models to a larger group, namely, adults with autism. Our investigation indicates that a lot of people with autism experience a lack of understanding towards their diagnosis and their living conditions. As a result, society is unable to provide the alternative conditions that would enable people on the spectrum easier access to well-being. As a consequence of this, we also seek to produce stories that aim to enlighten the broader public on this topic.

Collaborators 

The project Autistic Role Models is carried out through close collaboration with experts from Langagerskolen (a special school for children and young people on the autism spectrum), Center for Specialpædagogisk Børnetilbud (CSB), autism experts with an autism diagnosis, and additionally researchers from Aarhus University.  The project has been granted 4.651.519-, dk by VELUX FONDEN’s HUMpraxis-program and lasts from 1 August 2019 to 30 April 2023. 

• Read more on VELUX FONDENs website

• Read more about VELUX FONDENs HUMpraxis-programme