ABSTRACT. This autoethnographic study explores the lived experience of a woman’s late diagnosis of autism through art-making. By engaging in art-making, the author navigates the transformative journey of self-discovery, emotional expression, and identity re/formation. The integration of autoethnography and art-making illuminates the profound impact of creative practice on understanding and communicating autistic ways of knowing and experiences that are beyond words. This research challenges traditional deficit-based perspectives and highlights the strengths-based potential of art to foster meaning-making and personal growth.

Keywords: autoethnography; autism; visual arts; art-making; late diagnosis; lived experience

How to cite: Vortman, S. (2025). Ripples of reflections: Shifting perceptions and making sense of a late autism diagnosis through autoethnography and art-making. Knowledge Cultures, 13(1), 190-209. doi: 10.22381/kc131202510

Received January 15, 2025 • Received in revised form February 14, 2025
Accepted March 28, 2025 • Available online May 1, 2025