Upholding autistic people's human rights: A neurodiversity toolbox for autism research

Bernard, Sarah; Doherty, Mary; Porte, Helen; Al-Bustani, Layla; Murphy, Laura E.; Russell, Mary C; Shaw, Sebastian C K

doi:10.1002/aur.2907

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…As aforementioned, this insight holds the potential to influence positive change through supporting the adoption of neurodiversity-affirmative practices and identity-first language. Such impacts may include improved mental health and optimum outcomes for the autistic community more widely ( 47 , 53 ). This is in line with our own philosophical positioning as the authors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The experiences of autistic doctors: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2023

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IntroductionMedicine may select for autistic characteristics. As awareness and diagnosis of autism are growing, more medical students and doctors may be discovering they are autistic. No studies have explored the experiences of autistic doctors. This study aimed to fill that gap.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study. A participatory approach was used to identify the need for the project and to modify a pre-existing survey for use exploring the experiences of autistic doctors.ResultsWe received 225 responses. 64% had a formal diagnosis of autism. The mean age of receiving a formal diagnosis was 36 (range 3–61). Most were currently working as doctors (82%). The most common specialties were general practice / family medicine (31%), psychiatry (18%), and anesthesia (11%). Almost half of those working had completed specialty training (46%) and 40% were current trainees. 29% had not disclosed being autistic to anyone at work. 46% had requested adjustments in the workplace but of these, only half had them implemented.Three quarters had considered suicide (77%), one quarter had attempted suicide (24%) and half had engaged in self-harm (49%). 80% reported having worked with another doctor they suspected was autistic, but only 22% reported having worked with another doctor they knew was autistic. Having never worked with a potentially autistic colleague was associated with having considered suicide.Most preferred to be called “autistic doctors” (64%). Most considered autism to be a difference (83%). Considering autism to be a disorder was associated with preference for the term “doctors with autism,” and with having attempted suicide.ConclusionAutistic doctors reported many challenges in the workplace. This may have contributed to a culture of nondisclosure. Mental health was poor with high rates of suicidal ideation, self-harm, and prior suicide attempts. Despite inhospitable environments, most were persevering and working successfully. Viewing autism as a disorder was associated with prior suicide attempts and a preference for person-first language. A neurodiversity-affirmative approach to autism may lead to a more positive self-identity and improved mental health. Furthermore, providing adequate supports and improving awareness of autistic medical professionals may promote inclusion in the medical workforce.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The experiences of autistic doctors: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2023

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Spotted around the web: Brain imaging replicability; CRISPR-edited neurons; sex-based variability in mice

Adams¹,

Askham²,

Hess³

2023

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WEEK OF MARCH 13 TH Research roundupStudies that correlate trait differences with changes in brain activity or structure do not require large sample sizes if the effect is large enough, researchers argue in response to a study Spectrum covered last year. The original study's authors reply that associations based on small samples still require confirmation in better-powered studies. Nature demand avoidance (PDA) is not a diagnosis or an autism subtype, a review of the research concludes. Spectrum has previously covered PDA and autism. Zeitschrift für Kinder-und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie Having a child with autism has been linked to the particulate matter levels in and around the home during pregnancy, in a cohort of more than 40,000 births in Sweden. Scientific ReportsMapping pollution: The likelihood of having an autistic child is linked to particulate matter levels across southern Sweden.Applied behavior analysis improves intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior in autistic children but does not affect language skills, trait severity or parental stress, according to a review of studies. BMC Psychiatry Autistic adults and adults with autism traits have an increased likelihood of experiencing gastrointestinal issues and co-occurring psychological problems. Autism CRISPR gene-edited neurons can model the co-expression of genes often found in postmortem brains of autistic people and point to synaptic function as a convergence point. Cell GenomicsGirls tend to have better social cognition and understanding of social than boys do, a difference that holds true in autistic girls and boys. Molecular Autism People with disabilities, including autism, are less likely to undergo cervical cancer screening than those without disabilities, though it's not clear which disabilities contribute to that disparity. Spectrum covered the gap in 2018. Journal of Cancer Education Most women diagnosed with autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as children still meet diagnostic criteria for one condition, although 34 percent switched from ADHD to autism. Journal of Attention Disorders When autistic people watch non-autistic people work on a creative building task -and vice versa -they copy each other less than when they are paired with someone of the same neurotype. Autism Science and societyMale mice exhibit more variable behavior than females, contrary to long-standing assumptions that females' fluctuating hormones affect their behavior and experimental results, according to a new study. The New York Times Autism researchers continue to debate terms such as "profound autism" and "disorder." Autism Research Raphael Mechoulam, a medicinal chemist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel who was known as the "father of cannabis research," has died at age 92. American Friends of the Hebrew UniversityResearchers who work with laboratory animals may experience guilt, anxiety and depression, sometimes called compassion fatigue. Science An analysis of the lay summaries that appear in the journal Autism Resea...

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Upholding autistic people's human rights: A neurodiversity toolbox for autism research

Cited by 2 publications

References 2 publications

The experiences of autistic doctors: a cross-sectional study

The experiences of autistic doctors: a cross-sectional study

Spotted around the web: Brain imaging replicability; CRISPR-edited neurons; sex-based variability in mice

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