Every researcher brings their own (implicit) values, norms and possible prejudices to the research process. This also applies to autism research. For example, the assumption that autism concerns a vulnerable minority group that needs to be helped by researchers/professionals. If a researcher does not explicitly and critically examine and analyze these and other assumptions, such harmful prejudices and misinterpretations will continue. The common characteristics of that group (autism) are then labeled as deviant and problematic compared to a dominant majority, which apparently serves as the norm group. Critical Design teaches the researcher to think independently, by increasing awareness of their own (pre)judgments, and thus initiates the debate that should stimulate action to break the prevailing status quo. This cannot be done without co-design, which refers to the active and meaningful involvement of different autistic stakeholders in the research process, and in all...
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Every researcher brings their own (implicit) values, norms and possible prejudices to the research process. This also applies to autism research. For example, the assumption that autism concerns a vulnerable minority group that needs to be helped by researchers/professionals. If a researcher does not explicitly and critically examine and analyze these and other assumptions, such harmful prejudices and misinterpretations will continue. The common characteristics of that group (autism) are then labeled as deviant and problematic compared to a dominant majority, which apparently serves as the norm group. Critical Design teaches the researcher to think independently, by increasing awareness of their own (pre)judgments, and thus initiates the debate that should stimulate action to break the prevailing status quo. This cannot be done without co-design, which refers to the active and meaningful involvement of different autistic stakeholders in the research process, and in all steps of this process. This means that researchers, practitioners and other professionals no longer talk about “the other”, but all together form a community based on equality, where no one is “granted” anything, but actions are taken to guarantee equity for everyone.
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