Overview
Research priorities have shifted from 'cure' to causes, support and quality of life — driven by autistic voices.
Key points to understand
- Autistica is the UK's leading autism research charity.
- James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership identified top community-led research questions.
- Participatory research (with autistic people as co-researchers) is now the gold standard.
- Open access journals (Autism in Adulthood) centre autistic perspectives.
Practical strategies that help
- Take part in research via Autistica's Discover Network.
- Critique research that excludes autistic voice.
- Share research findings within community.
- Push funders to prioritise community-led questions.
Common challenges to be aware of
- 'Cure' research is rejected by most of the autistic community.
- Genetic / prenatal research raises eugenics concerns — engage carefully.
How Bright Steps can help
Bright Steps brings together autistic people, families, carers and professionals across the UK. You can use the Community to talk to others who get it, save articles and activities to your Library, and explore Resources built for everyday life. Our Routines and Reward Charts turn ideas from this article into things you can try today.
💡 Tip: Bookmark this article using the Save button at the top so you can come back to it. Everything you save lives in your personal library under Saved.
References & further reading
✏️ This article will be expanded with rich, UK-specific content, case studies, video explainers and downloadable resources. If you'd like to contribute a story or suggest a correction, contact the Bright Steps editors via the Community page.