Ongoing Projects

Supporting the Education Department in Creating a Neuroaffirming Curriculum

An important part of the Research Team’s current work is collaborating with the Education Department in making a curriculum for schools and colleges at all levels to educate educators and students about autism and autistic people. To guide the process, the Research Team will conduct surveys and interviews with members of the wider autistic community as well as literature reviews to compile information and resources.

Am I Autistic?: A Guide for Self-Assessment and Navigating the Clinical Assessment Process

Many autistic youth and adults who were not identified as autistic during childhood seek clinical diagnosis after first self-identifying as autistic. Self-assessment is often the critical first step in a previously unidentified autistic person’s journey towards self-discovery, connecting with the autistic community, and embracing their autistic identity. Despite the importance of self-identification, research and resources on the topic are limited. The Autistics Unmasked Research Team is working on creating a comprehensive guide for self-assessment and navigating the clinical assessment process. Throughout the project, the Research Team will be seeking feedback from the wider autistic community.

Autistic Experiences of the Global Majority

Working towards AU’s mission of creating a safe space for autistic people of the Global Majority, the Research Team is surveying and detailing the experiences of autistics to make information about autism and being autistic more accessible and inclusive. Current information about autism focuses greatly on the white, cisgender, heterosexual male experience – we aim to challenge this stereotype. Through surveys and interviews, we hope to amplify the voices of autistics of the Global Majority, contribute to dismantling the stereotype of autism as a “white male-only” neurotype, and be a credible source of information for autistics of the Global Majority in their journey towards self-discovery and connecting with the autistic community.