Exploring Research Methods as an Alternative Communicators and Neurodivergent Inquiry Group

• In Event: 21.062 - MTCC Roundtable Session Six
  In Roundtable Session: 21.062-5 - "Nothing About Us Without Us": Asserting Agency, Voice, and Relationships With Nonspeaking and Neurodivergent Students

Abstract

For years the phrase "nothing about us without us" (Charlton, 1998) has been used by the disability activist community to push for involvement in decisions, law making, etc that directly effects their lives. For individuals whose method of communication is not always accepted, honored, or supported, the research surrounding communication intimately affects their lives. Access is closely connected with whether or not an individual's method of communication is considered valid or not. However, research surrounding this has largely been controlled by able-bodied and neurotypical researchers. For this study, the research team was comprised of all neurodivergent and alternative communicators and focused on looking at research methods and methodologies to critique current literature and practices and offer suggestions for moving forward.

Author

• Brianna Dickens, Syracuse University