For decades, the way professionals have worked to diagnose autism has ignored the voices of autistic people. As a result, current diagnostic tools are flawed, leave out parts of our community, and don’t reflect the ways many autistic people experience autism. Yet without a formal diagnosis, many autistic people cannot access critical resources such as community living supports or accommodations at school and in the workplace. That’s why ASAN & the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network have partnered with researchers to start co-designing a potential diagnostic tool for autism based on the lived experience of the autistic community.

The work is in very early stages. Right now, we need autsitic beta-testers to test out the tool. We will use the results to figure out if the tool is reliable, and to help identify things we need to improve. Beta testers will be compensated for their time with a $20 e-gift card. If you would like to help with this critical work, you can find more information at this link. 

It will be many years and take much more research before this tool is ready. Developing this tool is only one small step— so much still needs to be done to reshape the way autism is studied, thought about, and diagnosed. From our work on the DSM 5 criteria to our work to increase participatory research, we are fighting for a future where autistic people have the final say on research about our community. This work is only possible because of your feedback, your participation, and your advocacy. Thank you for helping us do these things and change the world.

Click here to help test out the tool.

Best,
All of us at AWN and ASAN