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The loneliness of me: The assumption of social disinterest and its worrying consequences in autism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 July 2019

Rachel Louise Moseley
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, United Kingdom. [email protected]
Jie Sui
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom. [email protected]

Abstract

We share Jaswal & Akhtar's concerns about the unintended repercussions of assumed social disinterest in autism. We expand consideration of these consequences with discussion of the literature and our own work on loneliness, mental ill-health, and self-representation, which is a cornerstone to social and emotional health. Further study is needed with expansive, mixed methodologies and involvement of the autistic community.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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