Adaptation or recognition of the autistic subject? Reimagining autistic work life: Deconstructing the notion of “real jobs” in the Swedish autistic self-advocacy movement

Abstract

Several researchers stress the importance of listening to autistic adults' own experiences of work and related issues. This paper critically explores an ambivalent discourse of empowerment using notions of employment and work life in the Swedish autistic self-advocacy movement. The discourse analysis is based on articles from the Swedish autistic self-advocacy magazine Empowerment. In the data, three key themes linked to the notion of work are identified: alternative meanings of a “real job”, formulations of work-related problems, and solutions to these problems. We identify two storylines. The first, more dominant one, we call the recreated norm storyline. This storyline, in line with an individual/medical perspective on autism as deficit, represents autism as causing people with autism to have difficulties finding and keeping jobs in the open labour market and as entailing employment support. The second, counter narrative we call the challenged norm storyline. In line with the social model of disability, it focuses on structural barriers and discrimination against people with autism on the labour market.

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