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‘I am who I am’: Reputation concerns in adolescents on the autism spectrum

Cage, E; Bird, G; Pellicano, E; (2016) ‘I am who I am’: Reputation concerns in adolescents on the autism spectrum. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders , 25 pp. 12-23. 10.1016/j.rasd.2016.01.010. Green open access

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Abstract

Background: Adolescence is often characterised by an increased concern for one’s reputation in typical development. The extent to which autistic adolescents are concerned for their reputation, however, is unclear. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 autistic adolescents and five members of school staff to examine reputation concerns in autism. Topics discussed included being ‘cool’, friendships, worries and self-concepts. Results: Thematic analysis revealed that autistic adolescents were sometimes concerned about their reputation, although many reported that they did not want to be cool. Instead, they preferred to be true to themselves and struggled to understand the rules of being cool. Adolescents’ difficulties in coping with unpredictability also contributed to their understanding of social rules. Findings were supported by the responses of school staff. Conclusions: This study suggests that autistic adolescents can be concerned about their reputation, with some wishing to be accepted for having a reputation for being different.

Type: Article
Title: ‘I am who I am’: Reputation concerns in adolescents on the autism spectrum
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2016.01.010
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2016.01.010
Language: English
Additional information: The publisher Elsevier article title: 'I am who I am': Reputation concerns in adolescents on the autism spectrum journal title: Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders article link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2016.01.010 content_type: article copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: autism, reputation management, theory of mind, qualitative, adolescents
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Social Research Institute
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1475322
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