A/autisms:: a “queer labor of the incommensurate”: holding onto the friction between different orientations towards autism in an early childhood research-creation project

Shannon, David Ben and Truman, Sarah E (2021) A/autisms:: a “queer labor of the incommensurate”: holding onto the friction between different orientations towards autism in an early childhood research-creation project. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education. pp. 1-19. ISSN 0951-8398

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Abstract

In this paper, I propose “A/autisms” as an organizing concept for considering the complex intersection of Autistic identity, autistic disability, and the contingency of the diagnosis “autism” in educational research. I draw from Neuroqueer(ing) Noise—my doctoral research-creation project in an integrated, mainstream early childhood classroom—to consider how this intersection might help us orient towards A/autisms as artists, researchers, and teachers. Moreover, I suggest that A/autisms might be understood as a methodology for reorienting toward the human subject in the ontological turn. This paper is of relevance to researchers in the field of critical autism studies, as well as educational researchers interested in “post”-humanism, feminist materialisms, and arts-based research.