Sámi Experiences of Autism

Professor Anne Lindblom at the University of Inland Norway (INN) has received 11 million Norwegian kronor from the Norwegian Research Council for the groundbreaking research project Sámi Experiences of Autism (SEA). The project is a collaboration with the Sámi University of Applied Sciences (SA) in Norway. The four-year project has four researchers: Professor Lindblom, associate professor Bente Ovedie Skogvang and assistant professor Silje Hokstad from INN, and associate professor Ylva Jannok Nutti from SA. A doctoral student will be recruited. The main goal of the SEA project is to learn more about and understand the lived experiences of autistic Sámi children and youth and their families since there is not much previously known about it. The Indigenous Sámi in Norway still live with the consequences of colonization which led to the loss of language and culture. The SEA project aims to develop educational support models for autistic Sámi children, youth and families that are culturally relevant and based on Sámi ways of knowing, being and doing. There will be three studies in the SEA project using creative methods. The first study is with autistic Sámi children and youth, the second is with parents, extended family members and professionals such as teachers. The third study will be creative workshops for young autistic Sámi where they can test different ways of expressing themselves such as music, art or handicrafts. Results will be presented in community and school meetings, research articles, book chapters and conferences. The SEA project starts in August 2025 and ends in June 2029.

The Sámi Experiences of Autism (SEA) project addresses the lack of knowledge on Sámi experiences of autism in Norway, focusing on developing culturally relevant, Sámi-specific educational support models for autistic children, youth, families and professionals. The project explores lived experiences, addressing challenges in family and educational contexts while emphasizing Sámi ways of knowing, being, and doing. This groundbreaking initiative employs innovative Indigenous research methodologies, amplifying autistic Sámi voices through photovoice, empathy-based storytelling, and creative workshops, aligning with Sámi oral traditions. The project is structured into five work packages (WPs): project management (WP1), data collection on autistic Sámi children and youth (WP2), family and professional experiences (WP3), creative workshops to amplify youth voices (WP4), and dissemination (WP5). WP2 and WP3 use culturally adapted qualitative methods, including thematic analysis, to understand perspectives and challenges. WP4 integrates Sámi cultural expressions to empower autistic youth, and WP5 ensures findings inform teacher education, professional development, and policy recommendations. SEA emphasizes ethical research in Indigenous contexts, prioritizing Sámi cultural paradigms, and engaging stakeholders such as the Sámi Parliament, Sámi Special Needs Education Support (SEAD), and the Autism Society in Norway. The project aspires to decolonize and indigenize special education, informing global Indigenous autism research. Outcomes will include peer-reviewed articles, Sámi-specific support models, professional training programs, and exhibitions showcasing creative outputs. With a multidisciplinary team of Sámi and Indigenous researchers, SEA advances inclusive, equitable education and challenges colonial assumptions about autism. By bridging knowledge gaps, SEA aligns with the United Nations SDGs, contributing to sustainable, culturally sensitive educational practices.