Presentation Announcement – UQAT Autism and Addictions Partnership Symposium

I am pleased to announce that I will be presenting at the Autism and Addictions Partnership Symposium for Providing Collaborative Services hosted by the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue on April 22-23, 2021. I will be speaking about the autism research ethics project in a workshop entitled “Collaborating with autistic people in research and practice.” Dr. Jonathan Weiss will be speaking at this conference as well. You can find more information here. The event is virtual and registration is free.

Communication 3

COLLABORATING WITH AUTISTIC PEOPLE IN RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

Presenter: Ariel Cascio, Assistant Professor, Medicine & Society, Central Michigan University College of Medicine

Abstract:

Researchers and practitioners working with autistic people who seek specialized services need to collaborate with autistic people as stakeholders, participants, clients, and colleagues. In this workshop, I will describe the work of the autism research ethics task force organized by the Pragmatic Health Ethics Research Unit of the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal. This Task Force was charged with generating suggested best practices for research ethics in studies involving people on the autism spectrum, based on personal experience and a review of the literature, and using the framework of person-oriented research ethics. The Task Force included researchers, autistic self-advocates, parents, professionals, and advocacy organization representatives. I will present an overview of key research ethics issues impacting research and practice in specialized services, including respect, empowerment, power dynamics, and participatory collaboration. I will describe strategies for increasing accessibility for autistic people, including minimizing sensory burden and maximizing clarity of communication. I will also address the diversity of people and perspectives in autism and autistic communities, cautioning against a one-size-fits-all approach. I will speak from my perspective as a non-autistic researcher, and invite dialogue and reflection on positionality.

- Ariel