Neurodivergent Community Involvement in Research: Insights from Autism Research Practices in the UK

• Grant number: 25/08236-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: August 17, 2025
• End date: October 22, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Shephard
• Grantee: Tally Lichtensztejn Tafla
• Supervisor: Sue Fletcher-Watson
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psiquiatria Doutor Antonio Carlos Pacheco e Silva (IPq). Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Edinburgh, Scotland
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/06303-0 - CAMOUFLAGING IN BRAZILIAN AUTISTIC ADULTS WITH AND WITHOUT CHILDREN AND CROSS-CULTURAL COMPARISON OF CAMOUFLAGING BEHAVIORS IN BRAZILIAN AND BRITISH PEERS, BP.PD

Abstract

This project investigates how participatory research practices in autism-especially those grounded in co-production with neurodivergent individuals-can be adapted and applied to the Brazilian context. While participatory models are increasingly recognized internationally as essential to producing ethical, impactful, and community-relevant research, their adoption in Brazil remains limited. Drawing on the well-established practices of the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh, this study will analyze strategies for inclusive research design, researcher-community collaboration, and knowledge translation. By engaging in a reflective, cross-cultural analysis of participatory methods and their underlying values-such as respect, authenticity, infrastructure, empathy, and the challenging of assumptions-the project will generate recommendations for cultivating a Brazilian research culture that meaningfully includes autistic voices. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of context-sensitive participatory frameworks that enhance the relevance, accessibility, and social impact of autism research in Brazil.