Miguel Lois-Mosquera

Abstract for the paper: "Identifying as Autistic Without a Formal Diagnosis: Who Self-Identifies as Autistic and Why? It reads: Adults increasingly self-identify as autistic without a formal diagnosis, yet little research has systematically investigated (a) the unique characteristics, experiences, and needs of self-identifying adults and (b) their preferences regarding diagnosis. Understanding the unique needs and preferences of self-identifying adults is necessary to better support them. We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study of US autistic adults who either self-identified as autistic or had a formal autism diagnosis, recruited via the survey platofrm Prolific. Participants were compared on (a) demographic characteristics, (b) autistic traits and experiences, (c) psychosocial outcomes, (d) support needs, and (e) beliefs about autism. Moreover, self-identifying participants reported whether they wanted a diagnosis, why or why not, and what barriers they faced. Self-identifying autistic adults were similar to diagnosed adults in autistic traits, including diagnostic traits. However, self-identifying autistic adults different from diagnosed adults in significant ways. Self-identifying adults were more likely to be cisgender female, experienced worse mental well-being, were more likely to experience unmet support needs, and faced unique barriers to receiving support (most frequently a lack of resources). The majority (68.7%) of self-identifying adults wanted a formal diagnosis but faced barriers in doing so. Self-identifying adults named a number of reasons for wanting a diagnosis (e.g., validation, access to certain services), but also grounds for hesitation (e.g., fear of stigma and discrimination). Adults who self-identify as autistic are similar to diagnosed adults in their autistic traits but face more barriers to accessing services and may be uniquely vulnerable to experiencing adverse psychosocial outcomes.

Identifying as Autistic Without a Formal Diagnosis: Who Self-Identifies as Autistic and Why? by Ahuvia et al. 2026 finds that self-identifying autistic adults are similar to dxed autistic adults but face barriers to accessing services.

NEW FREE

journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Abstract for the paper: “I’m Kind of Stuck in the Middle. I Don’t Know Where to Go”: Race, Autism, and Intersectional Stigma Among Black and White Autistic Adults. It reads: Autistic adults frequently experience social stigma, which may be compounded by additional marginalized identities such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. Black autistic adults, may face unique challenges at the intersection of racial bias and autism stigma. This study qualitative methods to explore how intersecting identities shape autistic adults' experiences of stigma and marginalization, with an emphasis on Black autistic adults. 32 autistic adults (16 Black and 16 White) completed a semi-structured interview regarding their social experiences. Participants shared recent stories of peer exclusion, acceptance, discrimination, and support that they had experienced, as well as their feelings surrounding these events. Themes explored the unique impact of stigma on those with intersecting identities. Specifically, these themes included: 1) identity-based discrimination shaped by race, gender, and LGBTQ+ status; 2) challenges in obtaining and processing an autism diagnosis; and 3) difficulties navigating personal identity, particularly among Black autistic participants. Black participants often described layered forms of exclusion related to both their race and autistic traits. Across racial groups, women and LGBTQ+ participants also reported distinct forms of marginalization and erasure. These findings highlight how autism stigma intersects with other marginalized identities to shape social experiences. Black autistic adults, along with autistic women and LGBTQ+ autistic people, may encounter compounded barriers to acccptance, identity development, and belonging. These results underscore the need for more inclusive research and supports that attend to the diversity of autistic experiences.

“I’m Kind of Stuck in the Middle. I Don’t Know Where to Go”: Race, Autism, & Intersectional Stigma Among Black & White Autistic Adults by Jones & team explored how intersecting identities shapes autistic adults' experience of stigma & marginalization.

NEW FREE

journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

En esta openclass de UNIR analizaremos junto a especialistas en autismo y pedagogía el caso de la #BarbieAutista (desarrollada por @Mattel en Colab. con @autselfadvocacy), y el debate que ha abierto en la educación inclusiva.

👁️ Lee la noticia 👉 ow.ly/gtBr50YiJ4B

Development is key to understanding autism: How longitudinal approaches shape our understanding of autism - Kathryn A McNaughton, Alison S Russell, Margaret Lyons, Julia Parish-Morris, Clare Harrop, ,...

On longitudinal autism research journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... "individuals recruited as non-autistic may move into the autism group over time, & those diagnosed beyond the age span of the study or those stuck on long waitlists for diagnostic evaluations would be ineligible for these designs"

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

Delighted to have our new paper, “Eliciting the views of autistic adolescents attending specialist schools on what friendships mean to them”, published in @journalautism.bsky.social! 🧵

#autres #openaccess

journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Transitioning in and out of Autistic Flow: A Qualitative Study Presenting a Non‐Pathologising Approach to Autistic Well‐Being and Conceptualising Autistic Ways of Being in Clinical and Therapeutic Set... Introduction Autistic flow is a term that has been used to describe the autistic experience of being deeply immersed in an activity. Autistic flow theory proposes that autistic people may be uniquel.....

I love so much in this article: the summary of the importance
phenomenological autism research, its gender inclusivity, & the findings that flow state is essential for autistic well being & that environments have the ability to enable these states. #AutRes onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Encantado con la participación y el aprendizaje vivido hoy en el CPR San Martín de Ourense. @cprsanmartin #formacion @AGAMPI1 #neurodiversidad #sensibilidad #autismo #CEA #TEA #TDAH #dislexia Muchas gracias la invitación

Symptom change in depression and anxiety during psychological therapy for autistic adults - Nature Mental Health Pender et al. evaluated depression and anxiety symptom trajectories in autistic adults receiving routine therapy in UK primary care.

Our new study, just published in Nature Mental Health: Symptom change in depression and anxiety during psychological therapy for autistic adults... [1/8]

🧵⤵️

#autres #mentalhealth

www.nature.com/articles/s44...

📢 ¡Vuelven las Jornadas de Neurodiversidad y Empleo!

Tras el éxito de la primera edición, celebramos la II edición del 16 al 20 de marzo (18:00–20:00 h).

Pronto más novedades 👀

#Neurodiversidad #EmpleoInclusivo #IIJornadasNeurodiversidadyEmpleo

¿Favorece la inclusión una Barbie ‘autista’? La Barbie autista de Mattel simboliza un avance en la inclusión que también plantea dudas necesarias: Barbie ya era autista si quien jugase con ella así lo imagina.

Un placer haber formado parte de este artículo con Milagros Torrado para @Conversation_E #autismo #CEA #TEA #neurodiversidad #Barbie #mattel @Mattel #ASAN @autselfadvocacy

theconversation.com/favorece-la-...

¿Favorece la inclusión una Barbie ‘autista’? La Barbie autista de Mattel simboliza un avance en la inclusión que también plantea dudas necesarias: Barbie ya era autista si quien jugase con ella así lo imagina.

Un placer haber formado parte de este artículo con Milagros Torrado para @Conversation_E #autismo #CEA #TEA #neurodiversidad #Barbie #mattel @Mattel #ASAN @autselfadvocacy

theconversation.com/favorece-la-...

📢 ¡Vuelven las Jornadas de Neurodiversidad y Empleo!

Tras el éxito de la primera edición, celebramos la II edición del 16 al 20 de marzo (18:00–20:00 h).

Pronto más novedades 👀

#Neurodiversidad #EmpleoInclusivo #IIJornadasNeurodiversidadyEmpleo

Certificate from the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences awarding Ben Potts the Editor’s Highlight 2025 for the A3ReAcH framework paper on inclusive healthcare research for autistic, ADHD and AuDHD individuals.

Text explaining that autistic, ADHD and AuDHD people are often excluded from healthcare and radiography research due to inaccessible methods and systemic bias, and introducing the A3ReAcH framework as practical guidance for inclusive and participatory research.

Front page of the published review article titled “The A3ReAcH framework,” listing the authors and journal details for the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences.

Visual overview of the A3ReAcH framework showing principles and practical actions for accessible and inclusive healthcare research across planning, recruitment, data collection, analysis and dissemination.

Pleased to share that our paper on the A3ReAcH (Autistic, ADHD and AuDHD research accessibility in healthcare) framework was selected as the Editor-in-Chief Highlight for 2025 by the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences. An encouraging start to my PhD. 🔗 doi.org/10.1016/j.jm...
#AutRes

Screenshot of the front page of a journal article titled "Navigating Teacher Agency, Empathy, and Disability Discourses in Schools: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Autistic Teachers' Perceptions of Work Experiences in the United States.

We have a new paper out! We interviewed 8 autistic teachers to ask about their experiences in US schools. www.liebertpub.com/doi/epub/10....

‘I think your child might be autistic’: A qualitative survey study examining how school staff broach initial interactions with parents whose children may be autistic Recognising and understanding that a child might be autistic is an important first step in the autism diagnostic pathway. For many families, this process involves working alongside school staff and, ....

Delighted to share a new paper, led by the brilliant Hannah Cresswell, reflecting the views of school staff (specifically SENCOs) regarding how they broach initial interactions with parents when they think that their child might be autistic 🧵
nasenjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

DON'T MISS this qualitative analysis which found that autistic adults face a conflict between balancing their desire for social connection with their limited energy for engaging in social experiences.

FREE until 25th November

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

Autism and Physical Disability What does it mean to live at the intersection of autism, physical disability, trauma, and resilience? In Autism and Physical Disability, Wenn B. Lawson shares a deeply personal account of late-diagnos...

Just published!

Autism and Physical Disability
Dual Experiences, Challenges, and Inclusion Solutions
Author(s): Wenn B. Lawson

livedplacespublishing.com/book/isbn/97...

doi.org/10.62859/c.1...

Debunking Autism Misinformation - Autistic Self Advocacy Network We have seen a wave of dangerous proposals and policy changes coming from President Trump, RFK Jr., Elon Musk, and others that threaten the rights, freedom, and safety of disabled people. From dangero...

autisticadvocacy.org/debunking-au...

Mental health outcomes associated with applied behavior analysis in a US national sample of privately insured autistic youth

🥰 muchas gracias, compañera

Finally out our last paper on autistic experiences navigating social norms and expectations. #autism #wellbeing #camouflaging #masking #autismo #CEA 👇
50 days free access.
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...

new paper fully co-produced and co-authored with neurodivergent young people
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Exploring similarities and differences in how researchers and young people understand key terms in youth mental-health research - Humanities and Social Sciences Communications Humanities and Social Sciences Communications - Exploring similarities and differences in how researchers and young people understand key terms in youth mental-health research

new paper from our wonderful team
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Gracias por tus amables palabras y dedicación continua. Un placer haberte encontrado. Haces mucho bien

“Feeling constantly kicked down’: A qualitative phenomenological study exploring rejection sensitivity in autistic adults

Alvin van Asselt et al.

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...

Maximizing the Quality and Reporting Standards of Autism Intervention Science - PubMed Although there are clear international standards for intervention science and reporting in healthcare, implementation and uptake have been limited within autism intervention research. To address this ...

happy to share this new article on reporting standards in autism intervention science: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41070555/

Autistic people deserve the highest standards of evidence based practice and reporting practices in this field fall woefully short. We offer recommendations to improve that.