Exploring Strengths in Autism A Zine Making Workshop Study

This exhibition features a collection of Zines created by 18 autistic young people who participated in the “Exploring Character Strengths in Autism – Zine Making Workshop Study”, led by Dr.

Jiedi Lei’s research team at the University of Oxford.

This research study focused on helping autistic children and young people challenge unhelpful stereotypes associated with how autism is portrayed through popular film / TV and media, and to change the narrative by recognising their personal unique strengths and abilities through exploring Character Strengths.Character Strengths make up 24 universal traits that we all hold (e.g., Bravery, Creativity, and Kindness) and motivate us to take action in everyday life.

All young people created Zines – a do-it-yourself publication – that showcased their individual stories of exploring strengths use in everyday life.

Guided by young people’s voices and their Zine creations, we hope that visitors will learn about autism through a strengths focused lens to celebrate individual differences in neurodiversity.This work is supported by the Public and Community Engagement with Research (PCER) Fund at the University of Oxford and The Paul Foundation.