The Use of Photovoice in Research With People on the Autism Spectrum: A Meta-Synthesis of the Literature

Purpose: This meta-synthesis of the literature critically reviews how Photovoice has been used in qualitative research with people on the autism spectrum whose difficulties in communication often restrain their accessibility to and participation in research. It focuses specifically on ways that researchers used Photovoice to enable people on the autism spectrum to participate in research about them and present first-hand accounts of their lives. Methods: The authors conducted a meta-synthesis of qualitative research studies. Nine research databases including subject specific databases for public health, psychology and social work were searched in January and August 2020 to identify the studies that used Photovoice to explore the experiences and perspectives of people on the autism spectrum. Of the 94 identified papers, 11 met requirements for inclusion in the review. Data was extracted from these papers to describe the steps of Photovoice used by the researchers in their studies with participants on the autism spectrum. Results: Researchers in the reviewed papers conducted the major stages of Photovoice methodology developed by Wang and Burris (1997) to accomplish their studies, including engagement, data collection, data analysis, and outcome dissemination with participants on the autism spectrum. The meta-synthesis of the literature also identified that researchers made modifications to Photovoice methodology to fit in with purposes of their studies and, more importantly, to facilitate communication and enhance meaningful participation of people on the autism spectrum in research. Conclusion: Photovoice can facilitate engagement of people on the autism spectrum in research.Future studies using Photovoice should include visual cues and verbal prompts to support communication of participants and become inclusive for people who are on the autism spectrum and with non-verbal abilities by offering them more alternatives of communication.