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Engaging Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Research Through Participant-Driven Photo-Elicitation Research Technique*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2016

Joanne Danker ,
Iva Strnadová Open the ORCID record for Iva Strnadová [Opens in a new window]  and
Therese M. Cumming Open the ORCID record for Therese M. Cumming [Opens in a new window]
Joanne Danker*
Affiliation:
School of Education, UNSW, Australia
Iva Strnadová
Affiliation:
School of Education, UNSW, Australia
Therese M. Cumming
Affiliation:
School of Education, UNSW, Australia
*
Correspondence: Joanne Danker, School of Education, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. Email: j.danker@unsw.edu.au
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Abstract

Participant-driven photo-elicitation, a visual research technique, is commonly used with marginalised and vulnerable groups of individuals. Reflections on the use of this technique are illustrated through a study examining the conceptualisation of student wellbeing from the perspectives of teachers, parents, and students with autism spectrum disorder. Interviews were used to collect data from teachers and parents, while photovoice, a community and participatory action research strategy, was used as a data collection method for students. Although participant-driven photo-elicitation (a component of photovoice) requires much planning, resources, collaboration with teachers, and the flexibility of the researcher, it empowers and engages students with autism spectrum disorder, helps develop social, communication, and self-awareness skills, enables the collection of rich data, and enables the voices of these students to be heard.

Keywords

autism spectrum disorder (ASD)photo-elicitationphotovoicevisual research
Type
Original Articles
Information
Australasian Journal of Special Education , Volume 41 , Issue 1 , July 2017 , pp. 35 - 50
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2016 

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Footnotes

*

This manuscript was accepted under the Editorship of Umesh Sharma.

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