Abstract
This study looks at the experiences of people with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), or High Functioning Autism (HFA), of being helped. The context for this research is Autism Spectrum Conditions are recognised as being relatively common, with up to 2% of the population qualifying for an ASC diagnosis. Adults with AS/HFA are recognised as having additional needs, however traditionally services have been difficult to access for people without a learning disability. Research in this area is dominated by quantitative studies, and largely represents the views of professionals and carers. This research seeks the views of people with AS/HFA themselves, to try to discover links between personal understanding of AS/HFA and what additional help is needed. Five participants gave their views via a semi-structured interview, and the resulting data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IRA). Three important inter-related themes emerged from this analysis, Conceptualisation of AS/HFA, Relationship of AS/HFA to identity and Conceptualisations of Help. In particular the mediating role of identity in the relationships between personal understandings of AS/HFA and ideas about what is helpful emerged. These findings complement other studies of identity and AS/HFA. Although the participants here varied in what they described as helpful, depending on their conceptualisation of AS/HFA and their sense of identity, several common themes did emerge, notably the need for specialist services, and a greater public awareness of AS/HFA, especially amongst professionals. The clinical implications of this work are also considered, in particular the need for a specialist understanding of anxiety and depression in AS/HFA.