"From the Autistic Human Books' Stories, I Understand Their Mindset and Thoughts": Pilot Development and Participatory Realist Evaluation of Human Library to Enhance Public Understanding of Autism

Fuente: ERIC Institute of Education Sciences

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Autori principali:	Gary Yu Hin Lam, Teresa Wan Ki Lam, Ophelia Tang, Gary Yeung, Sibyl Wai Chan
Natura:	Recurso educativo Open Access
Lingua:	en
Pubblicazione:	2026
Soggetti:	Foreign Countries Autism Spectrum Disorders Personal Narratives Information Dissemination Public Opinion Social Bias Interpersonal Relationship Pilot Projects Perspective Taking Adults Special Libraries
Accesso online:	Acceder al recurso
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author	Gary Yu Hin Lam Teresa Wan Ki Lam Ophelia Tang Gary Yeung Sibyl Wai Chan
author_facet	Gary Yu Hin Lam Teresa Wan Ki Lam Ophelia Tang Gary Yeung Sibyl Wai Chan Gary Yu Hin Lam Teresa Wan Ki Lam Ophelia Tang Gary Yeung Sibyl Wai Chan
collection	Education Resources Information Center
contents	"From the Autistic Human Books' Stories, I Understand Their Mindset and Thoughts": Pilot Development and Participatory Realist Evaluation of Human Library to Enhance Public Understanding of Autism Gary Yu Hin Lam Teresa Wan Ki Lam Ophelia Tang Gary Yeung Sibyl Wai Chan Foreign Countries Autism Spectrum Disorders Personal Narratives Information Dissemination Public Opinion Social Bias Interpersonal Relationship Pilot Projects Perspective Taking Adults Special Libraries Unlike traditional autism awareness programs that often rely on didactic teaching and factual information, Human Library is a contact-based intervention that can engage "readers" in critical dialogs with "human books" to learn about their lived experience. This study reported on the pilot development of a Human Library in collaboration with a team of human books who are autistic to promote public understanding of autism in Hong Kong. Using a participatory realist evaluation framework, we conducted surveys and interviews with readers to construct a Human Library program model and evaluate its associated outcomes. Pre- and post-Human Library surveys showed a significant decrease in autism stigma and increase in neurodiversity attitudes. Interview findings revealed that readers' interests and concerns about the autistic community motivated them to participate in Human Library. Through personal interaction with autistic human books in a safe space created within Human Library, readers developed renewed understanding of autism and insights into autistic strengths. Readers became more informed of autistic people's perspectives and various sociocultural barriers that impact their well-being, which shaped how they would interact with autistic people in the community. The Human Library model has implications for promoting better understanding and attitudes of autism and fostering positive interaction between autistic and non-autistic people.
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spellingShingle	"From the Autistic Human Books' Stories, I Understand Their Mindset and Thoughts": Pilot Development and Participatory Realist Evaluation of Human Library to Enhance Public Understanding of Autism Gary Yu Hin Lam Teresa Wan Ki Lam Ophelia Tang Gary Yeung Sibyl Wai Chan Foreign Countries Autism Spectrum Disorders Personal Narratives Information Dissemination Public Opinion Social Bias Interpersonal Relationship Pilot Projects Perspective Taking Adults Special Libraries "From the Autistic Human Books' Stories, I Understand Their Mindset and Thoughts": Pilot Development and Participatory Realist Evaluation of Human Library to Enhance Public Understanding of Autism Gary Yu Hin Lam Teresa Wan Ki Lam Ophelia Tang Gary Yeung Sibyl Wai Chan Foreign Countries Autism Spectrum Disorders Personal Narratives Information Dissemination Public Opinion Social Bias Interpersonal Relationship Pilot Projects Perspective Taking Adults Special Libraries Unlike traditional autism awareness programs that often rely on didactic teaching and factual information, Human Library is a contact-based intervention that can engage "readers" in critical dialogs with "human books" to learn about their lived experience. This study reported on the pilot development of a Human Library in collaboration with a team of human books who are autistic to promote public understanding of autism in Hong Kong. Using a participatory realist evaluation framework, we conducted surveys and interviews with readers to construct a Human Library program model and evaluate its associated outcomes. Pre- and post-Human Library surveys showed a significant decrease in autism stigma and increase in neurodiversity attitudes. Interview findings revealed that readers' interests and concerns about the autistic community motivated them to participate in Human Library. Through personal interaction with autistic human books in a safe space created within Human Library, readers developed renewed understanding of autism and insights into autistic strengths. Readers became more informed of autistic people's perspectives and various sociocultural barriers that impact their well-being, which shaped how they would interact with autistic people in the community. The Human Library model has implications for promoting better understanding and attitudes of autism and fostering positive interaction between autistic and non-autistic people.
title	"From the Autistic Human Books' Stories, I Understand Their Mindset and Thoughts": Pilot Development and Participatory Realist Evaluation of Human Library to Enhance Public Understanding of Autism
topic	Foreign Countries Autism Spectrum Disorders Personal Narratives Information Dissemination Public Opinion Social Bias Interpersonal Relationship Pilot Projects Perspective Taking Adults Special Libraries
url	https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1494222

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