Being, Knowing, and Doing: Importing Theoretical Toolboxes for Autism Studies.

Area of Science:

• Autism Studies
• Social Sciences
• Philosophy of Science

Background:

• Current autism research often lacks theories grounded in autistic lived experiences.
• There's a need to integrate external theoretical frameworks to enrich autism studies.
• Autistic voices and perspectives are crucial for developing authentic and ethical research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the application of critical realism, standpoint theory, and neurocosmopolitics in autism research.
• To support the development of new, autistic-led theories based on embodied experiences.
• To advocate for a paradigm shift towards neurodiverse collaboration in autism studies.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis and synthesis of concepts from critical realism, standpoint theory, and neurocosmopolitics.
• Autoethnographic accounts and shared discourse from autistic researchers.
• Integration of research accounts and existing theories within autism studies.

Main Results:

• Demonstration of how critical realism can inform understanding of autistic 'being'.
• Application of standpoint theory to enhance understanding of autistic 'knowing'.
• Exploration of neurocosmopolitics and epistemic justice in autistic 'doing' and research practices.

Conclusions:

• An epistemic shift towards neurodiverse collaboration is proposed for more ethical and effective autism research.
• Non-autistic researchers are invited to collaborate 'with' autistic individuals, not 'on' them.
• Challenging existing structures, poor theory, and methodology is essential for progress in autism studies.