The article discusses how autistic adults are joining research teams to shift the focus of autism studies towards practical steps that help autistic people in various settings.
Burnout, caused by the need to mask autistic behaviors, is a significant concern for autistic individuals. Autistic researchers are publishing their findings in Autism in Adulthood, a new journal that aims to include the perspectives of autistic individuals.
The article highlights the importance of listening to and acknowledging autistic voices and the need for autistic-friendly workplaces. Medical-oriented studies on autism receive the majority of research funding, and including autistic perspectives in research has faced challenges and concerns about introducing bias.
The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of hearing and acknowledging autistic voices and the right of autistic adults to speak for themselves.
The original article can be found here.