Defense Date

11-21-2024

Graduation Date

Fall 12-20-2024

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Health Care Ethics

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Joris Gielen

Committee Member

Gerard Magill

Committee Member

Peter Osuji

Keywords

Ecological Penetration, Holism, Holistic, Biopsychosocial-spiritual, Neurological difference, Neurodiversity, Comorbidity, Reinforcement, prevalence, incidence

Abstract

This dissertation is an ethical response to the ethical issues in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of autism. The problems that underlie the discussion are misconception about autism and Autistics. The misconception about autism and Autistics lead to misinterpretation of the neurological functioning, cognition, and the behaviors of Autistics. Consequently, it influences the approach and model of care in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of autism. Currently, the analytic approach and biomedical model of disease are applied in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of autism. The motive of the analytic approach and biomedical care is to cure autism. The consequence of this approach and model is harm to Autistics.

So, considering the harm that the biomedical model of disease creates for Autistics, is it ethically justifiable to continue the biomedical model in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of autism? The claim of this dissertation is that the consideration of holistic approach and biopsychosocial-spiritual model of care in the assessment, diagnosis, and care for Autistics and the consideration of Autistic behaviors as significant behaviors that reveal the intentions, feelings, and response of Autistics to the environment, will improve the well-being of Autistics better than the biomedical model and strengths-based approaches of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

The critical ethical concerns in the debate are the well-being, quality of life, and the identity of Autistics. The core ethics ideas that are proposed for consideration in the evaluation of a person for autism and in the care for Autistics are the holistic approach and biopsychosocial-spiritual model of care, and Autistic behaviors as significant behaviors that express the intention and feelings of Autistics and their response to environmental stimuli.

This dissertation provides a clear approach that can lead to the understanding of autism and Autistics and how to care for Autistics. This study is highly relevant both in research and clinical practice and care for Autistics as well as in creating awareness of autism and who Autistics really are.

Language

English

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