Autistic Students and Learning Partnerships

Introduction

Autism as a neurological condition and how it influences an individual’s learning, development and life is complex, but is increasingly being better understood as its prevalence grows. Autism is an aspect of neurodiversity, and there are at least two key developments in the past two decades. First, the rapid advancement in neuroimaging techniques have demystified some long-held beliefs about autism and its disabling pathologizations, and second, theories of autism are being challenged by none other than autistic individuals themselves. In tandem, as researchers, educators, and scholars have moved to include authentic voices of autistic individuals, the once silent landscape of autistic voices is increasingly becoming audible on things that matter to them. This includes the clear admonishing of the term “disorder” in describing autism.

The changing perceptions of autism towards actively including autistic students in their learning and the importance of authentic learning...