Discourse-based approaches to autistic focussed interests: Understanding shared focus, mutual accommodation, and multimodal expression

Added on 16/02/2025

Type de contenu

Journal article of the type Perspective ( ; english)

Jessica Aiston , Nelya Koteyko , Martine van Driel *
Discourse-based approaches to autistic focussed interests: Understanding shared focus, mutual accommodation, and multimodal expression published in the journal "Applied Linguistics" Preprint, 16 pages , doi: 10.1093/applin/amaf006

*One co-author has publicly identified as autistic. [Learn more about this mention]

- 9% of authors cited in the bibliography of this resource have publicly identified as autistic (9 out of 98 authors).
- 15% of references cited in this resource contain at least one author who has publicly identified as autistic (10 out of 67 references).

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Summary/Presentation

Interactions between autistic and non-autistic people are often characterized by misunderstanding and a ‘double empathy problem’ (Milton, Gurbuz, and López 2022). Thus, there is a need for applied linguistics research that seeks to concretely address and improve these communication barriers and lead to more positive and equitable interactions. In this position paper, we critically review existing discourse approaches to autistic communication and argue that future research must be participatory, affirmative of neurodiversity, and applied in service of addressing this double empathy problem. In particular, we argue that applied linguists should pay more attention to the role of focussed interests and show how discourse analysis can shed light on the valuable role of interest-driven interactions, both among autistic people and between autistic and non-autistic people. Following this, we propose several directions for future directions for applied linguistics research into autistic communication. Specifically, we suggest that linguistics could explore the potential for focussed interests for fostering shared focus, mutual accommodation, and multimodal expression, and consider how these findings can be translated into positive impact for autistic communities.

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(1) References in blue are resources listed on our site.

(2) Authors listed in this bibliography whose names are in color have published other resources referenced on the site. Clicking on the name allows you to see the list of resources they have published and shared on the site.

(3) Authors whose names are followed by an asterisk have publicly disclosed being autistic.

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