W mieście i na wsi. O doświadczaniu przestrzeni w autyzmie – rekonesans antropologiczny

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by impaired social imagination and interactions, communication difficulties, sensory integration problems, and restrictive, repetitive, and stereotyped behaviours. The spectrum is probably conditioned by genes and includes different forms of autism – the most severe of them is classical autism, one of milder forms is known as Asperger syndrome. It is proved that autism occurs in all ethnic and socioeconomic groups and affects every age group. Experts estimate that males are more likely to have the spectrum of disorders than females. The tendency depends on sociocultural as well on biological factors. Present article is based on written narratives of two individuals with well functioning autism – Temple Grandin and Daniel Tammet. On a theoretical level it is inspired by works of two outstanding French scholars – Paul Ricoeur and Philippe Lejeune. Both of them claim that narrative is a fundamental structure which allows us to organize, to express and to understand our biographical experiences. The authoress of the text reflects how two mentioned autistic individuals experience a space – various environments and surroundings. That kind of biographical experiences is very specific and peculiar in autism, especially because of autistic sensory problems.