This study examines how neurodivergent gender minority youth experience online spaces; specifically, it looks at how they navigate and negotiate online technologies and spaces. 
 
Autism traits appear most frequently in those identifying outside binary gender categories with evidence showing autistic individuals reporting higher rates of gender dysphoria compared to non-autistic control groups. Additionally, autistic individuals are known to self-identify as non-heterosexual at more than double the rate of those without autism. Autistic youth have also been described as ‘technologically savvy’.

​This study will examine how these young people, both gender and neuro-divergent, engage and use online spaces including: gaming, social media, messaging platforms.

METHODOLOGY + RECRUITMENT

This study uses photo elicitation in qualitative interviews. Photo elicitation is used to generate discussion through art selected and/or created by researchers or participants. This approach can increase engagement and help address concerns about the need to seek the perspectives of autistic GMY when examining their experiences. Previous studies suggest the use of visual methods reduces ASD youth research participation anxiety whilst providing tangible memory recall prompts and aiding communication.

This study seeks to answer the following research questions:
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  1. How do neurodivergent and/or autistic gender minority youth navigate and negotiate online technologies and spaces?
  2. How do neurodivergent and/or autistic gender minority youth use ICT in relation to gender identity?
  3. How applicable is intersectional theory to neurodivergent and/or autistic gender minority youth, and can it help us understand GMY online lives?

PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT

Are you between the ages of 16-21, neurodivergent and genderqueer/trans/non-binary? We are seeking participants for this study. You will be invited to compile some photos and attend a digital interview. Contact autonome2021@gmail.com to register your interest.

​​For information, please contact Jason Schaub at autonome2021@gmail.com

Project team: Dr. Jason Schaub | Danielle Roe | Dr. Daragh McDermott | Dr. Sam Martin | Dr. Seb Cordoba
Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Partnership Grant, and by the John R. Evans Leader Fund of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
© 2020 International Partnership for Queer Youth Resilience