AUTISTIC YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR REPRESENTATIONS IN SOCIAL MEDIA: AN ANALYSIS BASED ON CULTURAL STUDIES

Abstract

This research aims to present an analysis of the representation of Autistic Youth in social media, specifically the narratives of a Podcast made by autistic people, who discuss their own experiences around Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autistic young people address representations, contest, problematize stereotypes and debate the forms of naming and naturalization of certain characteristics produced in specific historical and cultural contexts. For this study, a historical survey was carried out on the first studies of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to understand the current concepts. The data analysis was based on theoretical references from Cultural Studies (CE), as well as several publications that address autism, the neurodiversity movement and the struggle for rights and recognition of People with Disabilities (PCD). Although autism has been a widely discussed topic today, there is still a significant lack of literature that addresses the representativeness of autistic people in relation to their own identity. Often, discussions focus primarily on treatment and intervention methods, leaving aside the important perspective of the experience and voice of autistic people themselves. It is of paramount importance to broaden the focus of discussions to encompass the diversity of perspectives and experiences of autistic people, ensuring that their representativeness has more visibility. From the analysis, it was possible to perceive the importance of the search for the realization of the rights of autistic people. The representativeness of Autistic Youth has been gaining strength with the neurodiversity movement and the search for the recognition of autistic people as neurodivergent. The representation of Autistic Youth on social media, especially through a Podcast made by themselves, has been an important way to contest traditional representations, problematize stereotypes and promote awareness about issues related to autism and neurodiversity, as well as deconstruct stereotypes historically imposed by society.