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Stenner, Paul; Pearson, Amy; Kapp, Steven; Watson, Catherine; Pressler, Ronit; Williams, Gemma; Bertilsdotter-Rosqvist, Hanna; Hultman, Lill; Semmens-Wheeler, Rebecca and Botha, Monique
(2025).
Abstract
This paper describes the eight phases of an innovative procedure for collective and reflexive research about neurodiversity. Structured by Q methodology, this procedure allowed a small group (n=10) of neurodivergent researchers to identify and discuss our different viewpoints on what neurodiversity means (3 viewpoints) and aims for (3 viewpoints). The rigour of the procedure was underpinned by the use of Q items collectively self-generated by the group, individual Q sorting of these items to render ‘operant’ each member’s viewpoint, Q factor analysis to compare and group these data quantitatively, and group discussion to interpret these factors and to discuss the implications of our differences for the practical future of the neurodiversity movement. The significance of this procedure is that it provides a new way for neurodivergent neurodiversity researchers to collaborate in surfacing and understanding differences and similarities in their views on what the neurodiversity movement is and what it should aim to do. There is a growing focus on neurodiversity across society and it is important to appreciate diversity to avoid misunderstandings around concepts and aims. The variation in viewpoint here demonstrated can inspire future research and help shape the basis for the theoretical discussion informing the movement going forwards.
Plain Language Summary
What is already known about the topic? There is a growing movement for neurodiversity aiming to welcome neurodivergence (some prefer the expression ‘neuroatypicality’) as an acceptable part of a neurodiverse community and advocating for such inclusion. Many academic researchers advocating neurodiversity are themselves neurodivergent and have argued that research can and perhaps should be undertaken by neurodivergent academics and not just on or with them.
What this paper adds? This paper adds a new way for neurodivergent neurodiversity researchers to collaborate in understanding how their views differ and agree. It shows how a group of neurodivergent neurodiversity researchers used the techniques of Q methodology to surface and discuss their own views on the nature of aims of the neurodiversity movement. First we developed two Q sort item sets as a new research instrument (generating 55 different propositions about neurodiversity for each set). Then each of us rank ordered each set into a Q sort to express our individual views. Then we used statistics to compare and contrast our views, finding three different understandings of what neurodiversity is and three different understandings of what it might do as a movement. This is the first study to use Q methodology to help neurodivergent researchers discover and discuss their own differences and similarities of viewpoint.
What difference will it make? There is a growing focus on neurodiversity within different parts of society (education, health, research, and the media), but insufficient attention to the different things that neurodiversity can mean to different people within the movement. Learning about those differences and similarities can allow progressive social change to be better coordinated. The variation here demonstrated can help to inform the movement as it continues to develop.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
