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Jennifer C Sarrett

Senior Lecturer, Emory University
Chapter Member: Georgia SSN

About Jennifer

Sarrett's research focuses on disability studies, bio-and neuroethics, human health, culture, and stigma and discrimination. Overarching themes in Sarrett's writing include intellectual and developmental disabilities, primarily autism, criminal justice, identity, emerging technologies, and justice. She is an interdisciplinary social scientist whose research uses innovative qualitative research methods along with important theoretical works. She is also affiliated with Emory's Center for Ethics and the Center for Mind, Brain, and Culture.

Publications

"Revealing the Training on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities among Forensic Mental Health Professionals: A Survey Report" Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behavior 8, no. 4 (2017): 176-187.

Uses a national survey for forensic mental health professionals to gather information about what kind of training they received on intellectual and developmental disabilities. Finds that training experiences were highly variable, despite participants estimating 5-25% of the cases they see involve these disabilities. 

"Interviews, Disclosures, and Misperceptions: Autistic Adults' Perspectives on Employment Related Challenges" Disability Studies Quarterly 37, no. 2 (2017).

Uses an online survey and online focus groups to assess the experiences of autistic adults in employment. Indicates difficulties with interviews and conflict over when and to whom to disclose one's autism. Includes recommendations for employers.

"Biocertification and Neurodiversity: The Role and Implications of Self-Diagnosis in Autistic Communities" Neuroethics 9, no. 1 (2016): 23-36.

Discusses how many individuals face barriers obtaining an autism diagnosis in adulthood and so self-diagnose after learning about autism and recognizing themselves in these descriptions. Mentions it as a high controversial practice in the autism community. Discusses the practices in relation to biocertification, or the need to have official documentation of some feature of one's identity. 

"Custodial Homes, Therapeutic Homes, and Parental Acceptance: Parental Experiences of Autism in Kerala, India and Atlanta, GA USA." Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry 39, no. 2 (2015): 254-276.

Explores the roles of autism in homes in Atlanta, GA, USA and Kerala, India. Demonstrates how one can "read" a home for values related to autism and also indicates the possibility of acceptance of autism as a chronic condition a bit earlier in Kerala, India that is possibility linked to fewer therapeutic options.