This research is about understanding global majority autistic women’s experiences of healthcare, through poetry. There is very little known about the healthcare experiences of global majority autistic women in England.
Who can take part?
Global majority autistic women living in England are invited to take part in the research. This includes Black, Brown and dual-heritage women, who identify as autistic (either self-diagnosed, or formally diagnosed).
What will happen?
- You will be asked to spend some time thinking about your healthcare experiences and what they mean to you.
- You may find it helpful to use a timeline, lists, drawings or photos to help make sense of your experiences. You are welcome to choose what feels comfortable for you.
- Once you have spent some time thinking about your healthcare experiences, you will have the opportunity to share them with the researcher, Nikeeta Sohpaul.
- Please think about how you would like to share your experiences, through an online meeting, emails, or instant messenger.
- You and Nikeeta will create a poem, based on your healthcare experiences. You are welcome to keep a copy of the poem.
- The poem, along with other poems from this research will be shared publicly.
- Your name and other recognisable information you share will remain anonymous.
- Findings from this research, including your healthcare experiences will be included in the write up of this study, as part of Nikeeta’s research dissertation.
- The research will be published in an academic journal and findings, including poems, will be shared at exhibitions and online.
Do I need to be good at writing, art and poetry to take part?
Not at all! Whilst you are welcome to create timeline, lists, drawings or photos to help when you are thinking about your healthcare experiences and what they mean to you, this is not essential. You are free to choose what feels comfortable for you. If you opt to share anything you create, it will be anonymised.
Poems will be coproduced by you and Nikeeta, based on the information you have shared. Nikeeta will explain the process further, however, please be assured that no experience of poetry is needed.
Will sharing my experiences affect the healthcare I receive?
Sharing your experiences of healthcare is important because there little is known about the healthcare experiences of global majority autistic women. The information you share will not be stored on your healthcare records, or have any negative impact on the healthcare you receive now, or in the future. The only exception to this, is if you share information that indicates you, or another person are at risk of serious harm, or if there is a legal request for disclosure. By raising awareness of your experiences, it is hoped that people, including healthcare providers and researchers, will better understand healthcare experiences, from the perspectives of global majority autistic women.
Want to find out more?
Please contact Nikeeta