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About the Project
Research demonstrates that the mental and physical health of autistic adults is significantly poorer
than for non-autistic adults (Bishop-Fitzpatrick & Rubenstein, 2019; Cage, 2018). Life expectancy is
also shockingly low for autistic adults (Smith DaWalt et al. 2019; Hirvikoski et al. 2016). The way an
individual is treated by others, including by society at large, can have a fundamental impact on
wellbeing (Cooper et al. 2004). Autism stereotypes can often portray autistic people in a negative
way. The result of this can have negative consequences for autistic people (Treweek et al. 2019). This
PhD project will involve mixed-methods, the overall aim of which will be to better understand the
societal barriers experienced by autistic adults. Certain questions will be most appropriately
answered using a qualitative methodology, such as Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, in
order to understand the lived experience of being autistic in today’s society. Other questions may be
most appropriately answered using large-scale surveys or quantitative analyses of low-level
interventions targeted at reducing barriers created by broader society.
Funding Notes
Self funded or externally sponsored students only. Intakes are usually October and March annually.
NB The University has some scholarships under competition each year. More details can be found -
View Website
NB The University has some scholarships under competition each year. More details can be found -
View Website
References
Bishop-Fitzpatrick, L., & Rubenstein, E. (2019). The physical and mental health of middle aged and
older adults on the autism spectrum and the impact of intellectual disability. Research in Autism
Spectrum Disorders, 63, 34-41.
Cooper, C. L., Hoel, H., & Faragher, B. (2004). Bullying is detrimental to health, but all bullying
behaviours are not necessarily equally damaging. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 32(3),
367-387.
Hirvikoski, T., Mittendorfer-Rutz, E., Boman, M., Larsson, H., Lichtenstein, P., & Bölte, S. (2016).
Premature mortality in autism spectrum disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 208(3), 232-238.
Leedham, A., Thompson, A., Smith, R., & Freeth, M. (in press). "I was exhausted trying to figure it
out." The experiences of females receiving a diagnosis on the autism spectrum in middle to late
adulthood. Autism.
Smith DaWalt, L., Hong, J., Greenberg, J. S., & Mailick, M. R. (2019). Mortality in individuals with
autism spectrum disorder: predictors over a 20-year period. Autism, 1362361319827412.
Treweek, C., Wood, C., Martin, J., & Freeth, M. (2019). Autistic people’s perspectives on stereotypes:
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Autism 23(3), 759-769.
older adults on the autism spectrum and the impact of intellectual disability. Research in Autism
Spectrum Disorders, 63, 34-41.
Cooper, C. L., Hoel, H., & Faragher, B. (2004). Bullying is detrimental to health, but all bullying
behaviours are not necessarily equally damaging. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 32(3),
367-387.
Hirvikoski, T., Mittendorfer-Rutz, E., Boman, M., Larsson, H., Lichtenstein, P., & Bölte, S. (2016).
Premature mortality in autism spectrum disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 208(3), 232-238.
Leedham, A., Thompson, A., Smith, R., & Freeth, M. (in press). "I was exhausted trying to figure it
out." The experiences of females receiving a diagnosis on the autism spectrum in middle to late
adulthood. Autism.
Smith DaWalt, L., Hong, J., Greenberg, J. S., & Mailick, M. R. (2019). Mortality in individuals with
autism spectrum disorder: predictors over a 20-year period. Autism, 1362361319827412.
Treweek, C., Wood, C., Martin, J., & Freeth, M. (2019). Autistic people’s perspectives on stereotypes:
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Autism 23(3), 759-769.
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