Representations of autism and place in 21st Century: Sarinah O’Donoghue

From the Old Brewery

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
In this episode, Sarinah O’Donoghue discusses her research project that explores representations of autism and place in twenty-first century transnational literature. This includes, but is not limited to, novels, plays, poetry, and life writing. Researching this topic, I hope to emphasise the impact of environments (built and natural) on autistic experience, diversify autism representation in mainstream narratives and popular discourses, and explore the link between literary representation and social inclusion.

Autism is still mired in pathology paradigms, and narratives produced about the condition derive from deficit-based approaches and stereotypes, controlled and disseminated by the medical profession. However, autistic people are increasingly talking back, with writers including Joanne Limburg, Katherine May, Rhi Lloyd-Williams, Sarah Kapit, and Helen Hoang writing and publishing accounts centring on autistic experience. This is initiating a paradigm shift, as autism is increasingly being represented as a complex and heterogenous form of embodiment, rather than a rigid and prescribed set of traits. However, despite the increasing number of autistic self-advocates telling their stories through writing and performance, these are often not taken seriously (especially when considered alongside medical and psychological accounts of autism). Therefore, my research aims to amplify these narrative voices, which will diversify literary studies and contribute to a more inclusive society.