Interrogating ‘acquiescent’ behavior of adults with developmental disabilities in interactions with caregiving family members: an instrumental case study

Abstract

In this article, we adopt a Critical Disability Studies orientation to interrogate ‘acquiescent’ behavior of one adult diagnosed with developmental disabilities – Suzanne – in interaction with her caregiving parents. We conduct conversation analysis of interactions and offer themes of Speaking over/capping it off, Speaking for/giving it over and Correcting/redirecting as evidence of Suzanne acquiescing as part of ‘orchestrating’ input from her parents to get what she wants. We discuss adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities navigating daily life amidst shifting powerplay by strategically steering conversations in ways that serve them and we argue such navigations as vital to understanding ‘acquiescence.’

Keywords:

• Autonomy
• acquiescence
• developmental disabilities
• relationships
• critical disability studies