Correlations between Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and Self-positiveness in Typically Developing Individuals: Changes through Group Work with People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

This paper examines correlations between understanding autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and self-positiveness in typically developing (TD) individuals. Study 1 applied the literacy scale of ASD characteristics and self-positiveness scale to TD individuals (N＝189). We deduced that TD individuals with a high awareness of ASD-related communication difficulties evaluated themselves as more sensitive regarding their relationship with others. We have discussed whether TD individuals positively or negatively assessed themselves as having proactive or closed attitudes about relationships with others by considering their personality factors. Study 2 examined changes in correlations between understanding ASD and self-positiveness in TD high school students (N＝9), who participated in psycho-dramatic role-playing group work together with ASD individuals for approximately one year. Consequently, changes were indicted in the TD participants' self-affirmation subdomains that correlated with ASD-understanding subdomains. Concretely, TD participants came to understand ASD-related communication difficulties from environmental and individual perspectives. The background of these changes is discussed by considering participants' behaviors and remarks during group work.