Autistic people are people—and deserve to be treated like any other story subject, not just as color commentary on how hard we make life for others.

How is the fact that the subject’s brother is autistic relevant to the story—especially since he is not one of the people Mr. McDougall “tends to,” as mentioned in the first paragraph?

A7: A lack of plain-language translation of research studies and effective community engagement.

Even researchers studying genetics and biology can find a benefit in being able to explain how their work connects to improving the real-world experiences of autistic people and their families.

A5: Trauma #AutINSAR #INSAR2025

A3: I’ve seen research at #INSAR2025 moving in a generally positive direction. But I’m concerned about how some are using funding pressures and INSAR board influence to push incredibly outdated ideas, including the adoption of the term “profound autism,”. #AutINSAR

A2: Research into HOW autistic people think (thinking patterns, learning patterns, etc.). I haven’t seen much of that presented at #INSAR2025. #AutINSAR

*effectiveness of AUTISM research (not autistic research)

A1: I would like to see research into the effectiveness of autistic research (research bias, funding pressures, level of participatory research in studies, etc.)

Also, on this same panel Singer lamented “our [autistic] children who have lived in darkness for far too long”.

I believe there’s a deeper story. I’ve started mapping out the funding sources of the SIGs, posters, and keynotes at #INSAR2025 specifically promoting the term (or using “copy and paste” language about the Lancet in their descriptions) and encourage others to do the same.

They did announce this morning that #INSAR2027 will be held in South Africa. So, maybe that was on my mind. 🤷‍♂️

*”and I tend to…” I meant.

Well, it IS a year…just not the year I meant! #2017

I have dyscalculia, and intend to transpose numbers. At #INSAR2025 this means that I have now three times shown up for sessions AFTER THEY CONCLUDED thinking I was early. 😂

And I’m hoping to find quality research on nonspeaking autistics and those with complex needs.

(Today was just rushed and I only got to hear a small selection of poster presenters).

I haven’t had a chance to check out any genetic/biological posters yet, but there seems to be a shift among younger researchers to study autistic people as people, rather than something utterly bizarre and unknown.

That’s a good thing.

My last INSAR (2027) it seemed most of the research posters were in the lane of “OMG, what’s wrong with these people and how can we fix them?”

I’m encouraged that she admitted that her view is in the minority.