Research in South Africa
In the summer of 2022, I conducted research about the autism community and the acceptance of autistic individuals in the United States and South Africa. We are currently living in a world where ethnocentrism can sometimes be a barrier for communication. My research aims to create a conversation between two nations, discussing the strategies that have been beneficial to those within the autistic community. As a global society, it is crucial that we listen to one another in order to create a greater understanding of identities and circumstances of which we are not familiar.
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The title of my research is A Conversation on the Effective Intervention Strategies and Societal Acceptance of Individuals with Autism in the United States and South Africa and it provides an explanation of four strategies that are used to engage with and redirect students with autism. With the collaboration of Dr. Cheryl George, we are hoping to build upon this research in order to establish a greater network for effective strategies. Watch the video above to get a clearer explanation of each strategy and educational facility that I interviewed.
After this research was published, I received word that a journalist, Katie Cirucci, from Saint Joseph's University wanted to use this research as the subject for an article. Her summarization of the research in conjunction with interviews with my mentor and I have allowed for more people to be knowledgeable about these strategies and how they are used on a global scale.