Inclusive research practice : Engaging autistic individuals and their families in research

In the past, much research about people with disabilities could be viewed as perpetuating marginalisation, stigma, and dependence. More recently, there has been a focus on listening to the voice of people with disabilities and co-production of research. This chapter presents an overview of how researchers can engage with autistic individuals, their families, and service providers as experts on their own experiences, not only identifying research questions and priorities but also being co-producers of the research. This chapter also provides an overview of the Participatory and Inclusive Autism Research Practice Guides (Version 3). These guides provide useful information for researchers who want to work in inclusive ways. Specifically, this chapter discusses how to engage individuals on the autism spectrum as participants, provides advice about how to facilitate research groups with individuals on the spectrum, and how to partner with individuals and families in research. Further, the chapter discusses how to report research results to individuals and families, and how to co-present research. Specific guidance includes how to recruit and retain research participants in longitudinal studies, evaluation of research outcomes and impact, and ideas about disseminating and utilising findings