Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Advisor

Christopher Burnett

Abstract

Abstract This autoethnography brings a new perspective to members of the family therapy community, who are more and more frequently coming across members of the growing community of autism spectrum disorder individuals, and their families. Autism, as part of other developmental disorders, is approached as a disability by many other disciplines. For systemic thinkers, families in this spectrum are owners of their exclusive reality; they are a developing culture with their unique variations. This study of my own journey is an invitation to become authentically aware of the various challenges, and the awesome beauty, that families experience daily with members on the autistic spectrum. Our systemic perspective allows family therapists to develop sensitivity to diverse cultural or social groups. Autism should also be considered a different kind of culture whose interactions are influenced by their neurological diversity. Based on the social difficulties experienced by all people in this spectrum, and with this case study, I give a detailed explanation of the sensorial issues, communication challenges, and lack of appropriate social skills, by describing experiences that have influenced my integration into this wonderful culture of autism. Keywords: autoethnography, autism, family, culture, externalization, differentiation of self

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