Commentary: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Framework for Evaluating Autism Support Research

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Jordan, P., Tupou, J., Hammond, M., Uljarevic, M., Patrick, L., & Waddington, H. (2026). Commentary: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Framework for Evaluating Autism Support Research. Autism, Article 13623613261489842. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613261489842

Publication date: 14 Oct 2026 Added to AutiHub: 16 Oct 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) OpenAlex source

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Authors

Publication authors
6
Publication authors identified as autistic
2 / 6 (33.3%)
  1. Phoebe Jordan *
  2. Jessica Tupou
  3. Matt Hammond
  1. Mirko Uljarevic
  2. Lee Patrick *
  3. Hannah Waddington

Abstract

Despite growing interest in neurodiversity-affirming research, many studies examining interventions, practices, or services designed to support autistic individuals in daily life and well-being still prioritise reducing autistic traits over well-being and autonomy. However, there are currently no universally accepted definitions or frameworks for appraising the extent to which specific support programmes align with neurodiversity-affirming principles. This commentary introduces a five-principle framework developed through systematic appraisal of the literature and collaboration with autistic, clinical and academic contributors. The framework assesses the following aspects of autism support studies: (a) strengths-based focus, (b) support for self-determination and autonomy, (c) adaptation of the environment and upskilling others, (d) diverse communication methods and (e) respect for sensory and processing differences. This preliminary framework may offer a transparent method for evaluating alignment with principles drawn from neurodiversity scholarship and social/interactional models of disability and guiding ethical, inclusive practice. Potential applications include its use in reviews or training to support research and practice that centre autistic quality of life. Lay Abstract Many autism studies focus on changing autistic behaviours. However, autistic people and researchers have increasingly called for approaches that support well-being, quality of life and acceptance of autistic differences. Currently, there is no clear way to assess whether autism research follows these ideas. This commentary presents a framework for evaluating autism support research. The framework examines whether studies focus on strengths, support independence and choice, adapt environments to meet people’s needs, recognise different ways of communicating and respect sensory differences. The framework was developed using existing research and feedback from autistic people, clinicians and researchers. It can help researchers identify studies that align with neurodiversity-affirming values and encourage more supportive and inclusive autism research in the future.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 23 Oct 2026 07:41.

Cited references
57
With a DOI
56
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
1
32 / 57 (56.1%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
1 / 57 (1.8%)
References with detected author names
56 / 57 (98.2%)
Without detected author names
1
Without a structured title
1
Without a stable identifier
1
References with raw author names still to review
1
References with external metadata lookup issues
1
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
307
From DOI or external metadata
307
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
1
244 / 307 (79.5%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 63 / 307 (20.5%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
93 / 307 (30.3%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 93 / 244 (38.1%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 73 / 255 (28.6%).
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