Autistic and Neurodivergent Scholars Working for Equity in Research

05/30/2024

Congratulations to ANSWER Rep, Dr. Alex Newson, and ANSWER Co-Chair, Dr. Zachary Williams, for successfully defending their dissertations.

Dr. Newson's dissertation was a participatory research project on autistic teacher burnout and recommendations for thriving.

Dr. Williams' dissertation was on sound tolerance issues in autistic and non-autistic adults.

05/30/2024

One of our new ANSWER reps, Juliette Gudknecht, has released a new children's book about sensory processing differences. Inspired by her own sensory challenges as an Autistic person, this book seeks to empower children (and adults) who experience their sensory world in a different way. The book acknowledges that while sensory processing differences may present challenges that are not always seen as positive, they can in some situations be a strength.


Title: Juliette's Sensory City: A Short Story About Sensory Processing Differences
Link: https://a.co/d/gUqduyv

Description:
Join Juliette, a young girl who sees the world differently, on an exciting journey through her busy city. In "Juliette's Sensory City," you can feel the ups and downs of Juliette's journey as she sensitively and resolutely moves through her surroundings.

Juliette's differences in how she processes sensory information cause her both trouble and great joy, showing readers how complicated sensory differences can be. Look at situations through her eyes to see how she gets through tough times and finds beauty in unexpected places.

This touching story, written by an Autistic person who experiences sensory differences, shows Juliette's world as it truly is. Follow her as she learns how to get around her city and gains strength, courage, and understanding along the way.

05/12/2024

🌟 Introducing Dr. Sandy Thompson-Hodgetts, ANSWER's Liaison Co-Director.

🧠 Sandy is an occupational therapist and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton Canada.

📈 Her research focuses on approaches to support inclusion, participation and belonging of autistic people and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities across contexts of daily life - their schools, communities, homes and workplaces.

🔬 As a non-autistic autism researchers she believes that autistic people should and need to be engaged as authentic partners in research related to autistic people.

05/12/2024

🌟 Introducing Dr. Michelle Searle, ANSWER's Liaison Co-Director.

🧠 She holds a PhD in curriculum with a focus on assessment and evaluation. She holds the Credentialed Evaluator (CE) designation from the Canadian Evaluation Society and she is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).

📈 Michelle leads research and evaluation teams in education and health. Her research focuses on increasing the usefulness of program evaluation through a focus on collaborative evaluation approaches and innovative forms of knowledge dissemination that enhance capacity.

05/01/2024

Highlighting Neurodiversity in Science Leadership: H. Holden Thorp’s Courageous Disclosure

In a recent heartfelt editorial in Science, Editor-in-Chief H. Holden Thorp shares his personal journey with a late diagnosis of autism. Thorp’s story is a powerful reminder of the unique perspectives that neurodiverse individuals bring to the scientific community and leadership roles.

Thorp reflects on how his diagnosis clarified many aspects of his life and career, from his interactions as a university leader to his distinct communication style. His insights emphasize the importance of embracing neurodiversity not only to enhance scientific innovation but also to create a more inclusive academic environment.

This editorial is a call to action for all of us in the scientific community to better support and recognize the potential of neurodiverse individuals. As Thorp eloquently puts it, recognizing and fostering diverse neurological strengths is crucial if we truly desire the best talent in our fields.

Let's take this opportunity to advocate for environments that welcome all forms of diversity and to learn from the invaluable contributions of neurodivergent thinkers in science. Their role in driving innovation and progress is undeniable and deserves our active support and acknowledgment.

Link to article: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq0060

All brains work differently. Individuals process information and engage with the world in ways that are influenced by a multitude of biological, cultural, and social factors. In the world of science, these differences are what spark innovation. This is ...

04/25/2024

🌟 Introducing Dr. Emily Hotez, ANSWER's Project Scientist.

🧠 With an extensive background in developmental psychology and a heartfelt dedication to health-promotion through a neurodiversity-oriented lens, Dr. Hotez is a beacon of interdisciplinary research.

🏫 Serving as an assistant professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, they harness they're expertise to explore and understand adult development and health. Dr. Hotez's unique approach melds mixed methodologies, aiming to illuminate the facets of health and well-being across the lifespan.

📈 Dr. Hotez is spearheading research within the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P), propelling forward the evidence base for effective interventions in autism, especially focusing on physical health.

🔬 As a devoted sibling and a researcher, Emily brings a personal and professional commitment to her work, ensuring that every research stride taken is one step closer to actionable, inclusive health interventions.

🌐 Emily's work not only contributes to the field of developmental psychology but also actively shapes a world more attuned to the health and well-being of the neurodiverse community.

04/08/2024

📢 Exciting Opportunity for Autism Research!

ANSWER is now accepting proposals for a chance to receive up to $10,000 USD in funding. We're looking for innovative projects that address autism-related topics.

This grant aims to support:
*Autistic individuals or those on the autism spectrum
*Current doctoral students or health care professionals in the field

🗓️ Deadline to submit: April 30th, 2024
For more details, scan the QR code on the flyer or visit our website: https://airpnetwork.ucla.edu/about/answer.

04/08/2024

🤝 Meet Dr. Patrick Dwyer, ANSWER's Communications Co-Director.

🎓 Patrick is an autistic Research Fellow at La Trobe University in Australia. His main research interest is using various methods to explore sensory processing and attention in autism, including diversity of sensory profiles and impacts of sensory spaces.

🎯 Patrick also has strong side-interests in topics such as education, the politics of intervention, and neurodiversity theory; broadly, Patrick is interested in anything relevant to the well-being of neurodivergent people.

♾️ As a dedicated member of the Australasian Autism Research Council, Patrick significantly contributes to the advancement of autism research in the region. His leadership in co-founding the International Society for Autism Research's Autistic Researchers Committee, along with his active role in the Society's Membership Committee, underscores his influence in the field.

📝 Patrick is a member of the Australasian Autism Research Council. He also co-founded the International Society for Autism Research's Autistic Researchers Committee and is currently a member of the Society's Membership Committee. Patrick maintains a blog, autisticscholar.com.

04/08/2024

📚✨ Meet Alex Newson, a doctoral student at the Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences at the University of Oregon, and a former special education teacher. Alex is pioneering research on the role of autistic educators in the academy and is the proud recipient of an OSEP-funded leadership grant.

🤝 In her study, Alex examines the parallels between educator burnout and autistic burnout among autistic educators. Her approach is characterized by participatory methods, ensuring that the voices and perspectives of autistic educators are not only heard but actively shape the research narrative.

🏫🧠 As someone who embraced her autistic identity later in life, her journey from a special education teacher to a researcher is deeply personal. Alex's experiences have fueled her commitment to transforming school environments into neurodivergent-affirming spaces where disabled and neurodivergent students can thrive.

📢 A message from Alex: "If there is an autistic staff member reading this, I want you to know that you are valued, and your brain and your wonderfulness are so needed in schools."

🔄 "To the neurotypical teachers, my message is to listen to and learn from the autistic and neurodivergent staff and students when they speak up or communicate something."

📨 Reach out to Alex Newson at [email protected] or follow her insights on Twitter/X for a deeper dive into her work.

👩‍🏫🔬 Interview support by Rabaha Arshad from the University of Glasgow—collaboration in action! https://autisticschoolstaffproject.com/spotlight-on/

04/05/2024

New paper release: "Person- and Identity-First Language in Autism Research", a systematic analysis of abstracts from 11 autism journals by Matthew Carl Zajic and Juliette Gudknecht.

This study examined 12,962 journal abstracts to understand the usage trends of person-first language (PFL, e.g., "person with autism") and identity-first language (IFL, e.g., "autistic person") in autism research. Key findings include a general preference for PFL over IFL, though recent years show a rising trend in IFL usage.

The study offers a view of how language preferences have evolved in scholarly writing about autism, highlighting the importance of intentional language choice in research. It reflects shifting perspectives within the autism community and the impact of language on framing discussions around autism.

Read the full study here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13623613241241202

We examined the use of person- and identity-first language (PFL, IFL) in scholarly writing about autism by reviewing 12,962 journal abstracts from 11 autism res...

04/01/2024

🤝 Meet Dr. Jenny Mai Phan, ANSWER's Communications Co-Director.

🎓 Dr. Jenny Mai Phan is a research postdoctoral fellow in the Center for Autism at Children's National Research Institute and Children's National Hospital. Dr. Phan received a BS in Psychology at the University of New Orleans and an MS and PhD in Human Development and Family Studies at Iowa State University. She completed her first postdoctoral training in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

🎯 She is interested in studying the adolescence experience of neurodiverse youths as they transition through puberty and how it relates to mental health. She is also interested in early puberty and sexual health education strategies and its impact on neurodiverse and gender diverse youths' mental health and relationship with their caregiver.

♾️ Dr. Phan is recognized for her advocacy in autism, particularly in highlighting the challenges and experiences of marginalized groups, including Asian Americans, autistic women, and gender diverse youth. She is passionate about promoting comprehensive sexual health education and self-advocacy tools for autistic individuals, aiming to bridge the gap in accessible and inclusive resources. Learn more about her work on her website: https://www.jennymaiphan.com/.

03/31/2024

📣 New Publication Alert! 📘

Title: "A trans-diagnostic investigation of attention, hyper-focus, and monotropism in autism, attention dysregulation hyperactivity development, and the general population"

Authors: Patrick Dwyer, Zachary J. Williams, Wenn B. Lawson, and Susan M. Rivera

🔍 This study delves into the monotropism hypothesis in autism and ADHD, investigating the dual nature of hyper-focus and inattention in these conditions. With insights from 492 adults across neurodiverse groups, the research found that the relationship between hyper-focus and inattention as a trans-diagnostic phenomenon.

Key Findings:

Hyper-focus and inattention are elevated in autistic and ADHD individuals.

These aspects of attention regulation are interconnected, not opposites.

Hyper-focus is linked to both positive and negative life impacts, influencing quality of life, mental health, and more.

🧩 Implications: This paper sheds new light on the complex experiences of neurodivergent individuals, particularly in how they allocate attention. Understanding the positive and negative facets of hyper-focus opens avenues for tailored supports and interventions, aiming to enhance quality of life for those with autism and ADHD.

Article: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/27546330241237883

PK &{Xoa, mimetypeapplication/epub+zipPK &{X META-INF/container.xmlU 0D%UMBSAгkt74[DTԝ-l5(b'Bs>[ՕF5,L (DV4gREroTB1_-N^Gt7쩔؁Xg$cBgAוDPK-n