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Masters/PhD on neurodevelopment/neurodivergence/autism

Orangeee

Is there anyone here who decided to study neurodevelopment / neurodivergence / autism for Masters / PhD at the university just because you’re neurodivergent / autistic? :) 

Parents

  • Hi, I'm a developmental neurobiologist and I am just starting a PhD in this field. I have been interested in developmental neurobiology for years now. I only recently realised I am autistic though, but I have the opposite reaction - I want to stay away from autism research- I feel like a lot of the field is still geared towards 'curing' autism which I don't want to be a part of. It's not just that though- knowing that I am autistic, I think actually made me more reluctant to study anything autism-related. 

    Are you considering doing a Masters or PhD on neurodivergence? It would probably be a very good thing if more autistic researchers are working in the field! 

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  • Hi, I'm a developmental neurobiologist and I am just starting a PhD in this field. I have been interested in developmental neurobiology for years now. I only recently realised I am autistic though, but I have the opposite reaction - I want to stay away from autism research- I feel like a lot of the field is still geared towards 'curing' autism which I don't want to be a part of. It's not just that though- knowing that I am autistic, I think actually made me more reluctant to study anything autism-related. 

    Are you considering doing a Masters or PhD on neurodivergence? It would probably be a very good thing if more autistic researchers are working in the field! 

Children
  • in reply to Ann :)

    I agree, any PhD I take part in (for the sake of social science), would be for the sake of better-catering to the bottom-line. 
    I would imagine that there is no shortage of individuals looking to change-the-world.
    From my perspective the best way to save the world is to process the problems faster, the more entrants and enlightening-and-supported folk we have, the more competent people we will have to solve forest-level issues.

  • in reply to Ann :)

    Hi Ann! :) Thank you for sharing. I can understand why you feel reluctant to be involved in autism research. Personally, I’m averse to research and practice that focus on “correcting” non-neurotypical traits / behaviours too, though I have limited understanding of whether they have helped improved the life of autistic people. While I’m pleasantly surprised by the availability of MA/MSc programmes that focus on autism, I wonder if I’d enjoy them. However, I recently came across an MA programme on special and inclusive education with a focus on autism, and I think it may be aligned with what I’m looking for (esp because it seems that what they do is actually beneficial to the community).

  • in reply to Ann :)

    If you ever change your mind about researching autism, I think it would be a very good thing if more people like you challenge researchers who want to 'cure' autism, and lead the field into a more posiitve direction to do with understanding (rather than correcting) autistic traits. I somehow doubt that non-autistics will ever understand it properly without input from neurodivergent researchers.