Dr Chloe Farahar & Annette Foster

Abstract

The Farahar and Foster Three Dimensions Autistic Space: Reconceptualising the spectrum to include all Autistic people

In response to the Day 1 conference theme, recognition of Autistic girls, Farahar and Foster discuss their Three Dimensions Autistic Space framework. In opposition to the arbitrary use of biological sex to conceptualise and discuss Autistic experience, the Autistic community consider the variability within the Autistic population in relation to internal and external phenotypes (cf. inshiftingcolour, 2017; The Bridge London Trust Research, 2018), or more simply how observable or unobservable Autistic experiences can be. We argue that it is this observability – or lack thereof – that has led to the overrepresentation of males in autism research and diagnosis, and the underrepresentation of females and other genders.

Farahar and Foster have expanded on the more useful concept of internal and external Autistic phenotypes to create a Three Dimensions Autistic Space referencing levels of Observability, which takes into account influences and influencers in an Autistic’s life, conceptualised as the third dimension of Time.

This framework arguably would help:

  • Improve diagnostic recognition for Autistic females and marginalised genders
  • Address the under representation of Autistic girls and women, bias against receiving assessment and meeting diagnostic criteria
  • Identify and describe the lived experiences and characteristics of Autistic girls (and other genders)

[Whilst this is not a typical workshop, it is hoped that attendees will be able to interact by asking questions and provide feedback on our novel conceptualisation of Autistic experience and how they might use it in practice.]

Last updated 26th August 2021