Dr Jackie Ryan
@proudmum95.bsky.social
I am an Autistic autism researcher. Latest project is co-design of a toolkit for staff to support Autistic autonomy. Autistic rights are human rights. Participatory autism research. #AutRes
Pinned
Dr Jackie Ryan
@proudmum95.bsky.social
· Nov 21
Research 101: Collaborating in Participatory Autism Research
Research 101 is a training course designed by and for autistic people. The purpose of the course is to educate autistic people who are not academics or professional researchers, so they can be more in...
salvesen-research.ed.ac.uk
Open access Research 101 training is now available. It was created with Autistic adults. Ideally, researchers would use this training for their Autistic collaborators who want more information about research. salvesen-research.ed.ac.uk/our-projects...
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
How can autistic people recover from short-turn autistic burnout? @mx-joyner.bsky.social has very specific, tried-and-true strategies that might help you or your autistic loved one, at TPGA (and yes this includes kids and adults with high support needs).
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/we-g...
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/we-g...
We. Get. Tired! Recovering From Situational Autistic Burnout — THINKING PERSON'S GUIDE TO AUTISM
Parents need to know that autistic kids get TIRED. We autistics need rest, more frequently and in greater durations than non-autistic people.
thinkingautismguide.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:19 PM
How can autistic people recover from short-turn autistic burnout? @mx-joyner.bsky.social has very specific, tried-and-true strategies that might help you or your autistic loved one, at TPGA (and yes this includes kids and adults with high support needs).
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/we-g...
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/we-g...
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
A critique of “consensus” in autism research—how inclusion becomes performance, power remains untouched, and cure rhetoric persists. Yet amid it all, autistic-led scholarship rises—quiet, defiant, building truth brick by brick
open.substack.com/pub/autside/...
open.substack.com/pub/autside/...
Consensus Without Consent: The Myth of Democracy in Autism Research
On the illusion of democracy in autism research—and the quiet, stubborn work of autistic scholars reclaiming the right to define our own existence.
open.substack.com
October 12, 2025 at 10:36 AM
A critique of “consensus” in autism research—how inclusion becomes performance, power remains untouched, and cure rhetoric persists. Yet amid it all, autistic-led scholarship rises—quiet, defiant, building truth brick by brick
open.substack.com/pub/autside/...
open.substack.com/pub/autside/...
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Steve Silberman is so pissed about this Tylenol bullshit that he's screaming from the afterlife he didn't even believe in.
Increased rates of autism are due to testing, a broadened definition, and greater awareness. It's not vaccines. It's not Tylenol.
It's like his work never happened.
Increased rates of autism are due to testing, a broadened definition, and greater awareness. It's not vaccines. It's not Tylenol.
It's like his work never happened.
September 22, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Steve Silberman is so pissed about this Tylenol bullshit that he's screaming from the afterlife he didn't even believe in.
Increased rates of autism are due to testing, a broadened definition, and greater awareness. It's not vaccines. It's not Tylenol.
It's like his work never happened.
Increased rates of autism are due to testing, a broadened definition, and greater awareness. It's not vaccines. It's not Tylenol.
It's like his work never happened.
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Three incredible books and writers, for when you allow yourself to step back from screaming at the world:
Death of the Author, by @nnedi.bsky.social.
The Book of Love, by @kellylink.bsky.social
Indiginerds, edited by @alinapete.bsky.social
What are your current three "take me away" reads?
Death of the Author, by @nnedi.bsky.social.
The Book of Love, by @kellylink.bsky.social
Indiginerds, edited by @alinapete.bsky.social
What are your current three "take me away" reads?
"I practice self-care by turning off the news periodically, and stepping back from the world. I made the realization that in my fight for justice, I was hurting my own mental health." Autistic academic TC Waisman on self-compassion and resilience, at TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/09/cher...
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/09/cher...
Cherishing Compassion While Autistic and Marginalized
T.C. Waisman, Monique Botha, and Wenn Lawson—three deeply compassionate autistic experts—on navigating the world while autistic.
thinkingautismguide.com
September 20, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Three incredible books and writers, for when you allow yourself to step back from screaming at the world:
Death of the Author, by @nnedi.bsky.social.
The Book of Love, by @kellylink.bsky.social
Indiginerds, edited by @alinapete.bsky.social
What are your current three "take me away" reads?
Death of the Author, by @nnedi.bsky.social.
The Book of Love, by @kellylink.bsky.social
Indiginerds, edited by @alinapete.bsky.social
What are your current three "take me away" reads?
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Explore 10 key ideas for neuro-affirming practice.
Building neurodivergent competency means creating safety & belonging. Inspired by David…
https://autisticrealms.com/creating-autistic-safety-and-belonging-10-ideas-for-neurodivergent-competency/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
Building neurodivergent competency means creating safety & belonging. Inspired by David…
https://autisticrealms.com/creating-autistic-safety-and-belonging-10-ideas-for-neurodivergent-competency/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
August 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Explore 10 key ideas for neuro-affirming practice.
Building neurodivergent competency means creating safety & belonging. Inspired by David…
https://autisticrealms.com/creating-autistic-safety-and-belonging-10-ideas-for-neurodivergent-competency/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
Building neurodivergent competency means creating safety & belonging. Inspired by David…
https://autisticrealms.com/creating-autistic-safety-and-belonging-10-ideas-for-neurodivergent-competency/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
My research, "‘It's Really Who They Are and What They Want’: Staff Perspectives on Supporting Autonomy for Autistic Adults With Intellectual Disabilities", has been published! Read it here: doi.org/10.1111/jar.... #publishedarticle @wileyinresearch
‘It's Really Who They Are and What They Want’: Staff Perspectives on Supporting Autonomy for Autistic Adults With Intellectual Disabilities
Background Autonomy is a crucial component of self-determination, yet it is limited for Autistic individuals, especially those with co-occurring intellectual disabilities. We explored how profession...
doi.org
August 12, 2025 at 4:48 PM
My research, "‘It's Really Who They Are and What They Want’: Staff Perspectives on Supporting Autonomy for Autistic Adults With Intellectual Disabilities", has been published! Read it here: doi.org/10.1111/jar.... #publishedarticle @wileyinresearch
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
To anyone who is NOT #autistic, you need to know this.
A person can be an #autist AND an #arsehole, but one does not cause the other! This is true no matter what defence lawyers (or the gutter press) tell you. #Autism does not make you saint or sinner; you do that yourself.
#GreggWallace #ElonMusk
A person can be an #autist AND an #arsehole, but one does not cause the other! This is true no matter what defence lawyers (or the gutter press) tell you. #Autism does not make you saint or sinner; you do that yourself.
#GreggWallace #ElonMusk
July 9, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Repost if you’re still calling it the Gulf of Mexico. ✋🏽
May 14, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Repost if you’re still calling it the Gulf of Mexico. ✋🏽
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
With @michealsandbank.bsky.social @shanclapoint.bsky.social @jhinsonwilliams.bsky.social @yueyangshen.bsky.social Ruoxi Guo, and Tiffany Woynaroski
June 2, 2025 at 12:47 PM
With @michealsandbank.bsky.social @shanclapoint.bsky.social @jhinsonwilliams.bsky.social @yueyangshen.bsky.social Ruoxi Guo, and Tiffany Woynaroski
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
We conclude that, because of a lack of appropriate conceptualization of what constitutes "problem behavior" and poorly validated measures, we know very little about how interventions might support autistic children who engage in behavior that could be harmful to themselves or others. 4/4
June 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
We conclude that, because of a lack of appropriate conceptualization of what constitutes "problem behavior" and poorly validated measures, we know very little about how interventions might support autistic children who engage in behavior that could be harmful to themselves or others. 4/4
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
and all but one measure mixed together behaviors that were inherently harmful (e.g., aggression) and behaviors that were nonnormative but not inherently harmful (e.g., hand flapping). 3/4
June 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
and all but one measure mixed together behaviors that were inherently harmful (e.g., aggression) and behaviors that were nonnormative but not inherently harmful (e.g., hand flapping). 3/4
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
and only 8% of studies defined the behavior construct they targeted. For the most common "problem behavior" measures, only two were validated along six different validation dimensions in autistic children, 2/4
June 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
and only 8% of studies defined the behavior construct they targeted. For the most common "problem behavior" measures, only two were validated along six different validation dimensions in autistic children, 2/4
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Curious about how autism intervention researchers define and measure "problem behavior"? We examined 102 intervention studies with young autistic children and found that only 1/3 of studies give a reason for targeting the behavior they aim to reduce, 1/4
acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
<em>Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry</em> | ACAMH Pediatric Journal | Wiley Online Library
Background Some autistic children exhibit behavior that caregivers, clinicians, and researchers consider problematic. However, there is little consensus about the types of behaviors that should be t...
acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
June 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Curious about how autism intervention researchers define and measure "problem behavior"? We examined 102 intervention studies with young autistic children and found that only 1/3 of studies give a reason for targeting the behavior they aim to reduce, 1/4
acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
~5 Manipulation Tactics Premier Danielle Smith Uses
These tactics appeared in Danielle Smith's May 5th speech to Albertans.
These tactics appeared in Danielle Smith's May 5th speech to Albertans.
May 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
~5 Manipulation Tactics Premier Danielle Smith Uses
These tactics appeared in Danielle Smith's May 5th speech to Albertans.
These tactics appeared in Danielle Smith's May 5th speech to Albertans.
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Really thrilled to be able to announce this! Writing this with Robert has been a huge honour and I can’t wait to hear what readers think of it.
Excited to say that "Neurodiversity: A Very Short Introduction" written by myself and @suereviews.bsky.social is finally ready to preorder! Afaik the first general academic introduction covering the ND movement, ND studies, and applications of ND theory in practice.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
May 7, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Really thrilled to be able to announce this! Writing this with Robert has been a huge honour and I can’t wait to hear what readers think of it.
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
"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/...
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 5, 2025 at 5:38 PM
"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/...
www.buzzfeed.com/shannonrosa/...
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
@drstevenkapp.bsky.social's panel at International Society for Autism Research on Neurodivergence-affirming research practices for autistic people w/ high support needs illustrates relevance of neurodiversity framework for people w/ significant disabilities - an important principle of our MSc course
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
- @drstevenkapp.bsky.social
Thank you Dr. Kapp for your continued leadership and advocacy at #INSAR2025 and beyond
May 4, 2025 at 1:56 AM
@drstevenkapp.bsky.social's panel at International Society for Autism Research on Neurodivergence-affirming research practices for autistic people w/ high support needs illustrates relevance of neurodiversity framework for people w/ significant disabilities - an important principle of our MSc course
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Question: How can we include autistic people with high support needs who also have motor difficulties that can interfere with some forms of successful AAC use?
Sutherland: Simpler methods like PECs can help. But important to acknowledge that some people don't yet have successful AAC.
#INSAR2025
Sutherland: Simpler methods like PECs can help. But important to acknowledge that some people don't yet have successful AAC.
#INSAR2025
May 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Question: How can we include autistic people with high support needs who also have motor difficulties that can interfere with some forms of successful AAC use?
Sutherland: Simpler methods like PECs can help. But important to acknowledge that some people don't yet have successful AAC.
#INSAR2025
Sutherland: Simpler methods like PECs can help. But important to acknowledge that some people don't yet have successful AAC.
#INSAR2025
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
An excellent website full of Holly's excellent PhD work, presentations & publications:
Sutherland: Some subjects' hand flapping can mean happiness or distress.
For more information on the study, go to heasutherland.com.
#INSAR2025
For more information on the study, go to heasutherland.com.
#INSAR2025
Holly E. A. Sutherland
Holly E. A. Sutherland, PhD - autistic autism researcher.
heasutherland.com
May 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
An excellent website full of Holly's excellent PhD work, presentations & publications:
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Sutherland: when they've talked to care providers, they find out via that they actually do share goals with the #neurodiversity paradigm. And then the research speaks for itself, because it's addressing those shared goals.
#INSAR2025
#INSAR2025
May 3, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Sutherland: when they've talked to care providers, they find out via that they actually do share goals with the #neurodiversity paradigm. And then the research speaks for itself, because it's addressing those shared goals.
#INSAR2025
#INSAR2025
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Completely agree with Blasko and Jaswal: Access to AAC is a human rights issue for non-speaking and semi-speaking Autistic people.
#INSAR2025
#INSAR2025
Blasko and Jaswal: Many autistic people with the highest support needs have not been provided with appropriate AAC (augmentative and alternative communication).
#INSAR2025
#INSAR2025
May 3, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Completely agree with Blasko and Jaswal: Access to AAC is a human rights issue for non-speaking and semi-speaking Autistic people.
#INSAR2025
#INSAR2025
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Now Q&A (though we have to leave in 5 min for #AutINSAR prep, darn it).
First question: How do we overcome the manufactured divide of #ProfoundAutism?
#INSAR2025
First question: How do we overcome the manufactured divide of #ProfoundAutism?
#INSAR2025
May 3, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Now Q&A (though we have to leave in 5 min for #AutINSAR prep, darn it).
First question: How do we overcome the manufactured divide of #ProfoundAutism?
#INSAR2025
First question: How do we overcome the manufactured divide of #ProfoundAutism?
#INSAR2025
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Blasko: (using AAC in real time) I hope the questions are kind, and I have strong feelings but I am respectful [*got up to pace*] of all perspectives.
#INSAR2025
#INSAR2025
May 3, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Blasko: (using AAC in real time) I hope the questions are kind, and I have strong feelings but I am respectful [*got up to pace*] of all perspectives.
#INSAR2025
#INSAR2025
Reposted by Dr Jackie Ryan
Blasko using AAC: "I hope the questions are kind, and I habe strong feelings, and I am respectful of all perspectives."
#INSAR2025
#INSAR2025
May 3, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Blasko using AAC: "I hope the questions are kind, and I habe strong feelings, and I am respectful of all perspectives."
#INSAR2025
#INSAR2025