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dianatan.bsky.social
Diana Tan
@dianatan.bsky.social
940 followers 140 following 32 posts
Autism researcher at Macquarie University (Australia). She/Her. Views are my own.
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dianatan.bsky.social
Diana Tan @dianatan.bsky.social · Mar 23
📢 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:

🧵
“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...
doi.org
Reposted by Diana Tan
becpoulsen.bsky.social
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...
Macquarie University Lighthouse Fellowships
The scheme provides an incubation period for early career researchers to increase their competitive edge in securing non-University sources of funding.
www.mq.edu.au
August 18, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Reposted by Diana Tan
becpoulsen.bsky.social
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
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
July 20, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
becpoulsen.bsky.social
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
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
July 7, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Reposted by Diana Tan
thinkingautism.com
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...
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
www.nature.com
July 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
drstevenkapp.bsky.social
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/...
Neurodiversity paradigms and their development across cultures: Some reflections in East Asian contexts - Tomoya Hirota, Keun-Ah Cheon, Meng-Chuan Lai, 2024
journals.sagepub.com
May 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
thinkingautism.com
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
May 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
drstevenkapp.bsky.social
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...
May 13, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
shannonrosa.bsky.social
"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.
thinkingautism.com Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · May 5
"I want parents to learn what disability advocates taught me, what I wish I had known before my son’s diagnosis: that autistic people have always been part of our societies, & are valuable human beings who deserve unqualified love, acceptance, & access to supports."

www.buzzfeed.com/shannonrosa/...
My Autistic Son Needs 24/7 Support. And That's OK.
We have a good life, because we stopped buying into mainstream notions about what happy families look like.
www.buzzfeed.com
May 6, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Reposted by Diana Tan
journalautism.bsky.social
“I’m not feeling alone in my experiences”: How newly diagnosed autistic adults engage with a neurodiversity-affirming “Welcome Pack”

journals.sagepub.com...
May 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
cnicolaidis.bsky.social
@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.
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.
May 2, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Reposted by Diana Tan
hannahmorton.bsky.social
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
Steven Kapp presenting at a podium at INSAR
May 3, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
thinkingautism.com
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
May 3, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
aimeespeaks.bsky.social
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
May 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
thinkingautism.com
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.
thinkingautism.com Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · May 2
We were delighted to meet Grant Blasko & Vikram Jaswal, & doubly excited to go to their #INSAR2025 panel tomorrow. It is titled "Neurodivergence-Affirming and Inclusive Research Practices for Autistic People with High Support Needs," 10:30–12:30 PT. You can follow our live coverage here on BlueSky.
Four smiling people sitting on an outdoor couch. From left to right: Shannon Rosa, Grant Blasko, Vikram Jaswal, and Carol Greenburg.
May 3, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
draimeegrant.bsky.social
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.
May 3, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
thinkingautism.com
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?
May 2, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
aimeespeaks.bsky.social
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!
May 2, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
brianirvine.bsky.social
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
May 2, 2025 at 4:22 PM
dianatan.bsky.social
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!
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.
April 30, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
becpoulsen.bsky.social
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...
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
www.nature.com
March 31, 2025 at 11:02 PM
dianatan.bsky.social
📢 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:

🧵
“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...
doi.org
March 23, 2025 at 11:06 PM
dianatan.bsky.social
📢 New preprint alert: osf.io/preprints/os...

We conducted a systematic review to synthesise existing literature on the experiences of neurodivergent research students. As there is little empirical studies on this topic, we included perspective articles written by neurodivergent people. 🧵
OSF
osf.io
March 1, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Reposted by Diana Tan
lauramaycrane.bsky.social
Important new insights on how to make consent materials and procedures more accessible when conducting research with autistic people and people with intellectual disability #AutRes
www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10....
Guidelines for the Creation of Accessible Consent Materials and Procedures: Lessons from Research with Autistic People and People with Intellectual Disability | Autism in Adulthood
Informed, voluntary, ongoing consent is a central tenet of ethical research. However, consent processes are prone to exclusionary practices and inaccessibility. Consent materials are often too long an...
www.liebertpub.com
February 23, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Reposted by Diana Tan
craeioe.bsky.social
It is a delight to be able to announce our speaker for this year's #CRAElecture: the wonderful Dr Vikram Jaswal.

6pm (GMT) 3rd April

(It's a slightly longer webinar than our usual webinars, and later in the evening so hopefully more of you can join us)

bit.ly/CRAEJaswal
Supporting nonspeaking autistic people's flourishing
... using collaborative cognitive science. With Vikram Jaswal
bit.ly
February 20, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Reposted by Diana Tan
cmanning.bsky.social
I'm seeing lots of charities etc saying that 15-20%, or 1 in 7, of the population are neurodivergent. Can anyone help me locate the evidence/citation for this? I've got Doyle (2020) but this is a "reasonable estimate" based on prevalence of various conditions. Is there anything more precise? #AutRes
November 28, 2024 at 1:18 PM