Diana Tan

"Autistics with Complex Support Needs" (CSN) is a far more useful term than #ProfoundAutism, & we recommend using it instead. We also endorse listening to people doing participatory work to improve the lives of autistics with CSN, like paper authors @dianatan.bsky.social & @drstevenkapp.bsky.social.

"The concept of ' #profoundAutism ' is deeply problematic. It risks reinforcing dehumanizing assumptions—that the absence of speech equates to an absence of thought, agency, or interiority, & that Autistic people with CSN are–as the Lancet Commission claims—'unable to advocate for themselves.'" 1/2

Continuity, Change, and Psychosocial Predictors of Camouflaging in Autistic Adults: A Three-Time Point Follow-Up Study Over 2 Years | Autism in Adulthood Background: Many autistic people camouflage their autistic traits to fit into non-autistic environments. While psychosocial factors influence camouflaging, its development and relationship with these ...

By tracking how camouflaging behaviours change over time in a group of autistic adults, Zhuang et al (2025) found that earlier psychological and social pressures, such as fear of negative judgment, predict later camouflaging.

FREE until 24th December

www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...

I'm delighted and excited to announce that I have been awarded the 2026 Macquarie Lighthouse Research Fellowship! Thank you to my sponsors @dianatan.bsky.social and David McAlpine. It is fantastic that I can continue my program of work here at MQ! www.mq.edu.au/research/our...

Understanding Autistic Traits with the CATI Our new study confirms the CATI is a reliable, inclusive tool to explore Autistic traits! What is the CATI? The Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory (CATI) is a 42-item questionnaire designed with Autistic input. It explores six key trait areas — like sensory sensitivity, masking, and self-regulatory behaviours (all traits named or endorsed by an Autistic focus group) What did we do? We tested the CATI with over 2,600 adults. Half were Autistic (diagnosed and self-identifying) and half non-Autistic people to check ensure it is a valid and reliable measure of autistic traits for both autistic and non-autistic adults. Autistic-led and community-shaped This is an Autistic co-led paper, that was steered by the community which included a review of the original CATI trait names and question wording. Read the paper open access  https://tinyurl.com/CATIAUTISM You can complete the CATI or want to know more  www.cati-autism.com

New paper alert! We psychometrically validated the Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory. Please check it out. The main takeaways are below, but this has been such a wonderful project!
Open access paper tinyurl.com/CATIAUTISM

Flyer titled "Neurodivergent Research Advisors Needed – Guide research on Neurodivergent auditory experiences". Who are we? The Neurodivergence and the Listening Brain (NLB) program – a research group exploring how Neurodivergent people experience sound. We want your input! Main call to action: "Help create the research that matters to you" What will you do? You will collaborate with community members and researchers to ensure the research is relevant and respectful. There are multiple ways to engage: Discuss: Give your input on research directions and topics Share: Participate flexibly, e.g., via Zoom or discussion boards Review: Provide feedback on study materials for projects Who is eligible? Adults (18+) Neurodivergent (both self-identifying and diagnosed) Comfortable with English (spoken or written) You will be remunerated for your time! How to get involved: Register your interest at: https://redcap.link/NLBadvisorygroup Register by 16 July 2025 Email: nlb_engagement@mq.edu.au

I’m thrilled to be sharing this opportunity with you. Our team is recruiting a neurodivergent advisory group. Our work spans experiential (interviews), perception (listening tasks) and auditory neuroscience. redcap.link/NLBadvisoryg...

#neurodversity #research #sensory #auditory #actuallyAutistic

Auditory environments influence the link between Autistic traits and quality of life - Scientific Reports Scientific Reports - Auditory environments influence the link between Autistic traits and quality of life

Autistics aren't merely "sensitive" to sound; autistic tendencies also include "expanded access to auditory information, heightened perception to pitch, difficulties dealing with speech in background noise, and taking longer to adapt to auditory environments.":

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Neurodiversity paradigms and their development across cultures: Some reflections in East Asian contexts - Tomoya Hirota, Keun-Ah Cheon, Meng-Chuan Lai, 2024

Editorial on neurodiveristy frameworks in East Asian cultures: identity vs person-first debates don't make (linguistic) sense in some languages. These cultures may value harmony/cultural tightness over individuality; important to learn from local autistic ppl. 1/
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Tan: The involvement of autistic people with high support needs in participatory research is still lagging.

We need to shift the power redistribution in research to underrepresented groups, including multiply marginalized autistic people, autistic young ppl, & autistic people with HSNs.

#INSAR2025

Beyond Vikram Jaswal's @craeioe.bsky.social talk on supporting nonspeaking autistic ppl's flourishing (recording below), Vikram collaborated w/ nonspeakers to design augmented reality communication technology
"The quest to ensure nonspeaking autistic ppl are heard" spectrum.ieee.org/nonverbal-au...

"Instead of trying to make our [autistic] kids blend in or minimize their differences, we should prioritize treating our kids with affection and compassion, and focus on what it means for them to be happy." Evergreen, hard-won wisdom gleaned from autistic mentors.

“I’m not feeling alone in my experiences”: How newly diagnosed autistic adults engage with a neurodiversity-affirming “Welcome Pack”

journals.sagepub.com...

Group photo of 19 people and a service dog posing in a Moroccan restaurant. Most of the people are Autism in Adulthood Editorial Board Members.

@autisminadulthood.bsky.social annual Editorial Board dinner at #INSAR2025 (with a few guests). What a phenomenal team! Hard to believe that 7 years ago we showed up to INSAR with our first little Preview Issue. I so appreciate all the people who have made our journal into what it is today.

Steven Kapp presenting at a podium at INSAR

As an autism community we should be coming together to defend and support the services and supports that allow autistic people to live a life of their choosing
- @drstevenkapp.bsky.social

Thank you Dr. Kapp for your continued leadership and advocacy at #INSAR2025 and beyond

Now: Neurodivergence-Affirming and Inclusive Research Practices for Autistic People with High Support Needs. Chaired by @drstevenkapp.bsky.social & @dianatan.bsky.social, featuring Drs. Teresa Girolamo, Aimee Grant, Jackie Ryan, Holly Sutherland. Discussants: Grant Blasko & Vikram Jaswal. #INSAR2025

Now attending the Neurodivergence-Affirming and Inclusive Research Practices for Autistic Peopke with High Support Needs panel discussion:

@drstevenkapp.bsky.social, @dianatan.bsky.social, @heasutherland.com & Teresa Gironomo are live presenting, Aimee Grant & Jackie Ryan have recorded.

#INSAR2025

The amazing panel "Neurodivergence-Affirming and Inclusive Research Practices for Autistic People with High Support Needs" is today at 10:30 Pacific Time. We need more panelists like non-speaker Grant Blasko & researcher Vikram Jaswal at #INSAR2025 & #INSAR in general. We will provide live coverage.

In 2.5 hours, my #INSAR2025 pre-recorded talk will be played in the "Neurodivergence-Affirming and Inclusive Research Practices for Autistic People with High Support Needs" panel (Room 608-609).

I'll be checking in here if anyone has questions, and will be sharing the recording next week.

Now! Dora Raymaker is giving today's #INSAR2025 keynote: Transdisciplinary and Co-Produced Futures in Autism Research. So excited!!

What is the future of autism research that we want to see?

VERY excited to hear this morning's keynote, Dora Raymaker, on "transdisciplinary co-produced futures in autism research"

So far, I have been missing research with autistic voices and autistic led research at this conference, so this is well needed.

#INSAR2025 desperately needs more of this work!

In the desired futures:
-Neurodivergence is normalised.
-Complexity is celebrated
-Intersectionality is assumed
-Abelism becomes socially and scientifically unacceptable
-Neurodivergent voice is always included
-Neurodivergent cultures are centred, respected and integrated
-Epistemology is fluid

This is a screen capture from the INSAR conference programme. The top of the page reflects the title of the panel which reads, "223 - Neurodivergence-Affirming and Inclusive Research Practices for Autistic People with High Support Needs". This is followed by information about the location and time of the panel, which will be held on Saturday, 3 May 2025, from 10.30-12.30 pm, in room 608-609, 6th floor of the Seattle Convention Centre. Finally, a list of panel chairs: Steven Kapp, Diana Tan and Vikram Jaswal, and discussant, Grant Blasko.

After travelling halfway across the globe, happy to share that I'm finally in Seattle attending #INSAR2025.

I'm chairing a panel with @drstevenkapp.bsky.social on Saturday - come along if you're interested!

Auditory environments influence the link between Autistic traits and quality of life - Scientific Reports Scientific Reports - Auditory environments influence the link between Autistic traits and quality of life

Thanks to co-authors @dianatan.bsky.social , Liz Pellicano, David McAlpine and Paul Sowman. And of course, a HUGE thank you to the almost 300 people who participated in the study! Enjoy, and please share :)
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Grateful to my co-authors for their contributions: Liz Pellicano, @torihaar.bsky.social, Lara Hardy, Marion Rabuka

#neurodiversity #highered

This is an infographic of the 10 recommendations from the paper: 1) Neurodiversity training for staff and students 2) Sensory-friendly spaces 3) Actively promote support services 4) Develop university transition programs 5) Streamline and demystify university processes 6) Flexible teaching and communication options 7) Celebrate neurodiversity 8) Trauma-informed practice 9) Relationship building 10) Embracing participatory approaches

3️⃣ Fostering an enabling environment – Practical ways universities can provide better support.

4️⃣ Building a sense of belonging – The importance of meaningful connections and acceptance.

Based on these findings, we proposed 10 recommendations (see info-graphic)

1️⃣ “Fight[ing] really hard to get through” – The immense challenges Autistic students face.

2️⃣ “[Taking] a lot longer to try to make sense of the system” – The difficulty of navigating university structures.

“Seeing the Value of Who We Are”: Understanding and Supporting Autistic University Students | Autism in Adulthood Background: The number of autistic students enrolling in universities is increasing, yet many of them face significant challenges in navigating academic, social, and environmental demands. Existing re...

📢 New publication alert: doi.org/10.1089/aut....

Our team of Autistic & non-autistic researchers ran a qualitative study to explore how universities can create conditions that truly support Autistic students.

We interviewed 21 Autistic adults across Australia and identified four key themes:

🧵

Thank you to colleagues for this fun collab: @thesiswhisperer.bsky.social @drchrised.bsky.social Charlotte Brownlow, Kate Simpson, & Amanda Webster

Academia must move beyond performative inclusion. This means systemic shifts: flexible workspaces, tailored supports, supervisor training, and cultural change to reduce stigma.

#Neurodiversity #Inclusion #HigherEd

8️⃣ Embracing neurodivergence
Despite challenges, many neurodivergent students embrace their strengths. The path to self-acceptance in academia is complex but empowering. While rare, some find spaces where neurotypical norms aren’t assumed, allowing them to be authentic, excel, and enjoy their work.