Autistic Adults Online

Drawing on linguistic anthropology, pragmatics, human–computer interaction, and participatory design, it analyses autistic social media practices alongside participants’ own accounts of the demands these environments place on interpretation and scope of engagement. The findings show that autistic participants identify and challenge these expectations in use, and, through participatory design workshops, translate that critique into proposals that specify alternative ways of organising digital participation.

Autism in Affinity Spaces

A research project examining how autistic young people engage in interest-driven online environments (“affinity spaces”). The project adopts a sociocultural linguistic approach to analyse communication practices across social media, drawing on longitudinal data including posts, interviews, and workshops. Its focus is on how shared interests structure interaction in digital contexts and how they might enable new forms of connection and identity expression. The site provides access to project outputs and resources emerging from this work, including guidance co-produced with autistic participants and partner organisations.  

 

Autistic Adults Online – Toolkits

This page hosts a set of practical toolkits developed from the Autistic Adults Online research project, aimed at improving the design and use of digital platforms for autistic users. The resources are divided by audience: one toolkit targets developers and designers involved in building platforms, while another supports digital managers and content creators in adapting existing systems. The materials address issues such as sensory overload, moderation practices, accessibility, and user guidance, and are grounded in participatory research with autistic contributors and professionals. The emphasis is on actionable design adjustments that can be implemented without specialist technical expertise.  

 

Making Online Platforms Autism-Friendly (Policy Brief)

This policy brief translates research findings into recommendations for improving the accessibility and inclusivity of digital platforms. It identifies structural barriers faced by autistic users, including difficulties navigating implicit social norms, managing sensory input, and interpreting interactional cues online. The document argues for a shift toward neurodiversity-informed design that emphasises clearer communication frameworks, greater user control, and the explicit articulation of interactional expectations. It also highlights the necessity of participatory design that positions autistic users as central contributors to the development of digital systems and services.