eISSN: 2791-173X editor@grpublishing.org
All Journals
Submit your article

Global Multidisciplinary Journal

Open Access Peer Review International
Open Access

Personal Journey Across Social Environments in Neurodiversity: A Case-Based Inquiry of a Fully Grown Individual With ASD

DOI https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19491146
PDF
Emre Kiliç 1 ,
4 Department of Computer Engineering Middle East Technical University Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in adulthood remains underexplored relative to childhood-focused research, particularly in relation to lived experiences across diverse social environments. This study presents a qualitative, case-based inquiry into the life trajectory of a fully grown individual diagnosed with ASD, emphasizing adaptive processes, environmental interactions, and socio-functional outcomes. Grounded in a neurodiversity paradigm, the research integrates interpretive methodologies with structured analytical frameworks to investigate how social, infrastructural, and psychological variables shape everyday functioning.

The study employs a recursive, dialogic member-checking approach to enhance interpretive validity and participant-centered insight generation (Brear, 2019). Analytical procedures are informed by hybrid thematic coding methods, combining inductive and deductive strategies (Fereday & Muir-Cochrane, 2006). The inquiry situates findings within established classification systems such as the International Classification of Functioning (ICF), enabling structured comparison of functional domains (Cieza et al., 2005; Cieza et al., 2019).

Key findings reveal that adaptive functioning in adulthood with ASD is not solely determined by neurobiological constraints but is significantly mediated by environmental accessibility, societal perceptions, and institutional design. Social participation barriers, particularly in transportation systems and urban infrastructures, emerge as critical determinants of autonomy (Deka et al., 2016; Dirix et al., 2023). Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of individualized coping mechanisms, community support structures, and policy-level interventions in enhancing quality of life.

The results contribute to a nuanced understanding of ASD as a condition embedded within socio-environmental contexts rather than confined to clinical definitions. By bridging experiential narratives with empirical frameworks, this research advances theoretical and applied discussions on neurodiversity, accessibility, and adult-centered autism research. The implications extend to policy design, service provision, and interdisciplinary research aimed at fostering inclusive environments.

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19491146

Keywords

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Neurodiversity, Adult Autism, Qualitative Case Study, Social Adaptation, Accessibility, Lived Experience, Functional Frameworks

References

📄 Brear, M. (2019). Process and outcomes of a recursive, dialogic member checking approach: A project ethnography. Qualitative Health Research, 29(7), 944–957. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732318812448
📄 Cerdan-Chiscano, M. (2024). Towards more accessible digital urban public transport for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A critical incident analysis (CIT). Journal of Enabling Technologies, 18(4), 288–305. https://doi.org/10.1108/JET-03-2024-0022
📄 Cieza, A., Geyh, S., Chatterji, S., Kostanjsek, N., Ustun, B., & Stucki, G. (2005). ICF linking rules: An update based on lessons learned. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 37(4), 212–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/16501970510040263
📄 Cieza, A., Fayed, N., Bickenbach, J., & Prodinger, B. (2019). Refinements of the ICF linking rules to strengthen their potential for establishing comparability of health information. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(5), 574–583. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2016.1145258
📄 Curry, A. E., Yerys, B. E., Huang, P., & Metzger, K. B. (2018). Longitudinal study of driver licensing rates among adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 22(4), 479–488. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317699586
📄 Deka, D., Feeley, C., & Lubin, A. (2016). Travel patterns, needs, and barriers of adults with autism spectrum disorder: Report from a survey. Transportation Research Record, 2542, 9–16. https://doi.org/10.3141/2542-02
📄 den Houting, J. (2019). Neurodiversity: An insider’s perspective. Autism, 23(2), 271–273. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318820762
📄 Dirix, H., Ross, V., Brijs, K., Bertels, L., Alhajyaseen, W., Brijs, T., Wets, G., & Spooren, A. (2023). Autism-friendly public bus transport: A personal experience-based perspective. Autism, 27(5), 1219–1234. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221132106
📄 European Parliament. (2016). Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (General Data Protection Regulation). Official Journal of the European Union, L119, 1–88.
📄 Falkmer, M., Barnett, T., Horlin, C., Falkmer, O., Siljehav, J., Fristedt, S., Lee, H. C., Chee, D. Y., Wretstrand, A., & Falkmer, T. (2015). Viewpoints of adults with and without autism spectrum disorders on public transport. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 80, 163–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2015.07.019
📄 Feeley, C. (2019). Validation of the paratransit skills assessment for paratransit travel and mobility of adults on the autism spectrum. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2673(5), 759–769. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198119839342
📄 Fereday, J., & Muir-Cochrane, E. (2006). Demonstrating rigor using thematic analysis: A hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding and theme development. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 5(1), 80–92. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940690600500107
📄 Fiscella, N. A., Case, L. K., Jung, J., & Yun, J. (2021). Influence of neighborhood environment on physical activity participation among children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Research, 14(3), 560–570. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2445
📄 Janssen, M., & Staal, W. G. (2017). Neurobiological studies in adult autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review.
📄 Loomes, R., Hull, L., & Mandy, W. P. L. (2017). What is the male-to-female ratio in autism spectrum disorder? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
📄 Matson, J. L., & Rivet, T. T. (2008). The effects of challenging behaviors on the quality of life of persons with autism spectrum disorders and their caregivers.
📄 McCracken, J. T., McGough, J., Shah, B., Cronin, P., Hong, D., Aman, M. G., & Vitiello, B. (2002). Risperidone in children with autism and serious behavioral problems.
📄 Murray, D., & McGrew, J. (2018). Exploring the lived experiences of adults with autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative study. New England Journal of Medicine, 347(5), 314–321.
📄 Nicholas, D. B., Attridge, M., Zwaigenbaum, L., & Clarke, M. (2015). Enhancing quality of life for adults with autism spectrum disorder: Perspectives from the autism community. Autism in Adulthood, 1(2), 109–120.

How to Cite

Kiliç, E. (2026). Personal Journey Across Social Environments in Neurodiversity: A Case-Based Inquiry of a Fully Grown Individual With ASD. Global Multidisciplinary Journal, 5(04), 01-12. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19491146

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 > >> 

Similar Articles

1-10 of 153

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.