Autreach IMFAR flyer

The Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership In Research and Education (AASPIRE) project www.aaspireproject.org

Background and Mission

Despite great increases in the amount of research conducted on Autism, there has been little focus on how to improve the lives of adults on the autistic spectrum. Autistic adults are not usually included as resources or partners in autism research, despite having a wealth of information, experience, insight, and skills to offer.
The Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership In Research and Education (AASPIRE) project brings together the academic community and the autistic community to develop and perform research projects relevant to the needs of autistic adults. Our partnership will adhere to the principles of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR), whereby researchers and community members serve as equal partners throughout the research process. Additionally, researchers may be drawn directly from the community. Partners are expected to learn from each other and respect each other’s areas of expertise.

Goals

To encourage the inclusion of autistic people in matters which directly affect them.

To include autistics as equal partners in research about autism.

To answer research questions that are considered relevant by the autistic community.

To use research findings to effect positive change for people on the spectrum.

Partnership

The AASPIRE project brings together people from the three communities: the academic community, the autistic community, and the community of people who provide support and services to autistics. The special skills, expertise, and perspective that each community offers to the project as a whole is the strength of Community Based Participatory Research.
Each individual brings unique experiences to the project and learns from the experiences of others. Though individuals may choose to work on whichever aspects of the project are most interesting to them, representatives from all 3 communities are included as equal partners throughout all phases of the project.

In the USA, AASPIRE’s community partner is the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) www.autisticadvocacy.org

Here in the UK, Autreach (www.autreach.org.uk) and the London Autistic Rights Movement fully support AASPIRE’s aims and goals, and wish to ensure that Community Based Participatory Research principles become standard in Autism research in the UK and elsewhere.

Researchers! Why not join the email list of the London Autistic Rights Movement researchers group http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/arm_researchers/