Autism: factors of unrealized existence

Statement of the problem. The modern world promptly changes ideas of how the world is arranged. The phenomenon of autism, and earlier always mysterious, forces to rethink our representations and some dogmas. The purpose of the article is to reveal and prove possible omissions in historically developed approaches of escort of people with autism. Methodology. The research relies on a complete set of principles and methods of humanitarian and interdisciplinary research. The main principles to study the phenomenon of autism are a cultural and historical principle, a system principle and a principle of integrity (J. Bugental). A principle of unity of a person, society and social action (M. Weber, W. Dilthey, G. Simmel) is important. The theoretical and methodological foundations of the study were existential-humanistic psychology, philosophical phenomenology and understanding sociology. The leading role in the study was played by the traditional methods for the humanities, namely, system and comparative analysis (E. Durkheim, J. Dewey), hermeneutic (J. Habermas, H.G. Gadamer) and phenomenological (E. Husserl) methods. At the same time empirical methods were applied: synthesis of primary sociological data, observation, overt observation, content analysis, narrative dialogue, interview. Research results. Factors of the missed opportunities or unrealized existence of people with autism and their families are revealed. The resource of more effective approaches for forming a picture of the world and a picture of a person is suggested. Conclusion. The considered holistic approach does not contradict to a humanistic approach habitually developed around the phenomenon of autism, and on the contrary, they complement each other. The image of truly human in a autism carrier as, however, in any other person develops rather unconsciously, and the conducted research proves that forming of a picture of the world and a picture of a person from the position of holism is an effective model.