Innovative and Neuro-affirming Autistic Approaches to Autism Research

Since the notion of ‘Research Paradigms’ was introduced by Kuhn in 1962, these theoretical and conceptual frameworks have guided how research is designed, implemented and shared. Autism research is fast-moving towards adopting increasingly participatory practices, which aim to place autistic people as a neurominority in a position of partnership with researchers. Although this shift is well-intentioned, autistic autism researchers increasingly recognise the limitations of current research paradigms, processes and practices in fulfilling autistic needs. Autistic autism researchers seeking to make a positive and meaningful contribution to the lives of autistic people face a myriad of well-ingrained organisational and societal challenges. Written by two autistic autism researchers, this chapter provides a comprehensive overview of their autistic approaches to autism research, built upon eight case studies conducted over seven years. Combining their professional and personal experiences as academics who were researchers prior to the discovery and disclosure of their autistic identities, they offer a way forward for experienced and novice autism researchers alike. Although their research qualifications were steeped in traditional non-autistic assumptions, powerful personal experiences of cognitive dissonance from reading peer-reviewed publications led by non-autistic autism researchers spurred the development and implementation of autistic approaches and methods in autism research.