This survey is designed to look at correlations between how people choose to talk about autism and their interaction with autistic individuals. It is meant to be objective and analytical. You might find that it is difficult to find an answer choice for some questions that seems to fit just right. If you encounter this problem, please try to pick the selection closest to how you would answer in your own words. Nearly all questions require responses, so if you are uncertain, go with your best guess or your first instinct. On the last page of the survey there are several text fields where you will have the opportunity to elaborate or clarify your answers as much or as little as you choose.
I have chosen to use the phrasing "autistic individuals" throughout the survey for the sake of consistency. This is not designed to show my own bias, or to try to impact your responses. If you are uncomfortable with this language, I encourage you to use this survey as a way of expressing that opinion. Aside from responding honestly, you may choose to submit suggestions for improving the survey on the last page.
Because I am looking for very specific information, the questions and responses in this survey might seem excessively wordy. I have tried my best to make them follow the same format and use accessible language, though I'm certain I could have done a better job. If you find the survey overwhelming, please email me with suggestions to make it easier. If it makes it any better to know what's coming, it might help to know the survey is four pages total (if you consider this to be page one), the second page is the most confusing, the third pages has the bulk of the questions but they are repetitive and hopefully straightforward, and the final page is mostly optional text fields. Also, while some questions might seem a bit redundant, the slight differences are deliberate, so please read carefully and answer honestly, even if you end up choosing the same response ten times in a row!
If you'd like to share your name, email, blog, or whatever with me, this first page here is where to do that! I'd especially love it if you'd share anything you've written on the issues of language or (self-) censorship in relation to autism. These fields are completely optional however, and you should feel free to skip ahead to the start of the survey.
Thank you so much for your input! Please check back at my blog (
notesoncrazy.com) for updates and results, which will surely be accompanied by pretty, pretty pictures when I have enough responses.
Nattily
notesoncrazy.comnotesoncrazy@gmail.com