Considering the Autistic advantage in qualitative research: the strengths of Autistic researchers

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. two authors of this publication are identified as autistic in the project.

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Grant, A. & Kara, H. (2021). Considering the Autistic advantage in qualitative research: the strengths of Autistic researchers. Contemporary Social Science, 16(5), 589-603. https://doi.org/10.1080/21582041.2021.1998589

Publication date: 8 Nov 2021 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) Full text OpenAlex source

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Authors

Publication authors
2
Publication authors identified as autistic
2 / 2 (100.0%)
  1. Aimee Grant *
  2. Helen Kara *

Abstract

Autism is often viewed as an impairment, preventing Autistic individuals from achieving success in the world. We argue that, Autism can be an enhancement, particularly in some professional contexts, including qualitative research. However, Autistic people experience higher rates of unemployment and underemployment (lower skills/part-time). The social model of neurodiversity highlights the role of inaccessible workplaces and practices. Alongside this, the concept of the ‘Autistic Advantage', a strengths-based model, emphasises the ways in which Autistic people are assets to the social structures in which they exist. Two late diagnosed Autistic women, acknowledged as qualitative research experts, review the literature on Disability, neurodiversity and research; outline their own professional strengths; discuss their professional strengths in the light of the literature; and make recommendations for Autistic researchers and their neurotypical colleagues. Autistic qualities and preferences can be strengths in qualitative research teams. This includes long periods of concentration (hyperfocus), leading to ‘flow’ and creative thinking, attention to detail, and detailed knowledge of topic areas that are of interest to the individual. We conclude that qualitative research teams can benefit from working inclusively with Autistic researchers. We present guidance to facilitate inclusive working, without which Autistic researchers may be Disabled by their work environment

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: 2 Oct 2026 02:38.

Cited references
73
With a DOI
55
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
16
27 / 73 (37.0%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
8 / 73 (11.0%)
References with detected author names
70 / 73 (95.9%)
Without detected author names
3
Without a structured title
7
Without a stable identifier
14
References with raw author names still to review
2
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
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
178
From DOI or external metadata
178
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
2
106 / 178 (59.6%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 72 / 178 (40.4%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
53 / 178 (29.8%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 53 / 106 (50.0%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 35 / 152 (23.0%).
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