ASfAR Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles
Vision
A world where autism research is inclusive, participatory, collaborative, and culturally responsive, fostering knowledge exchange, research translation, and impact that benefits all Autistic people and their communities.
Mission
ASfAR’s mission is to advance knowledge through autism research that values lived experiences, respects diverse ways of thinking, and fosters meaningful collaboration between Autistic people, researchers, and the wider community.
By centering the perspectives of Autistic people, embracing intersectionality, and promoting participatory research, we aim to create spaces that cultivate an inclusive, diverse, and culturally responsive research community that contributes to meaningful progress in autism research.
Guiding principles
1. Autistic Leadership & Representation
We will prioritise the leadership and active involvement of Autistic people in all stages of autism research, ensuring their perspectives and experiences guide research priorities and practices.
2. Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach
We will affirm neurodiversity, embrace the diversity of experiences and perspectives within the Autistic community, and ensure inclusivity for all people, including those from minority and underserved groups.
3. Collaboration & Engagement
We will foster meaningful, respectful, and collaborative partnerships between Autistic people, researchers, and the wider community to ensure that research is co-produced and reflects the diverse needs of all stakeholders.
4. Ethical & Inclusive Research Practices
We will conduct autism research with integrity, prioritising ethical standards, transparency, rigour, and respect for the dignity, rights, and autonomy of all participants.
5. Diversity & Intersectionality
We will actively consider and engage with the intersectional experiences of Autistic individuals, recognising the varied impacts of race, gender, sexuality, culture, indigeneity, and other identities on their lives and experiences.
6. Knowledge Translation & Accessibility
We will encourage and support translation of research findings into accessible formats and sharing with both the academic community and the wider public, ensuring that knowledge is available to those who can benefit from it, including Autistic individuals and their families.
7. Encouraging New & Evolving Research
We will encourage innovative, evolving research that challenges existing paradigms and embraces new methodologies, particularly those that promote participatory and community-driven approaches.
8. Developing the Next Generation of Researchers
We will support and mentor emerging Autistic and non-Autistic autism researchers in the Australasian region, particularly those with a passion for participatory, inclusive, and impactful research, fostering an environment where new researchers can learn and grow.
9. Open Dialogue & Continuous Learning
We will create spaces for open, ongoing knowledge exchange, dialogue and reflection within the Australasian and international autism research community, encouraging continuous learning, critical thinking, and the evolution of research practices to ensure they remain relevant and impactful.