So many parts of it make me angry in addition to the extremely pungent use of the deficit model. The studies continue to be strangely small and skew very young and male. Allistic parent and caregiver perspectives continue to be valued over our own. The questions being asked largely serve to make us more convenient and palatable for everybody else. There is still way too much reliance on characterizing the condition via outward behavior rather than our internal experiences. When autistic researchers do make it onto the scene, they’re seen as “too high-functioning” to have a worthwhile perspective. Due to the above, it also feels like what I need is simply not a priority for grant dollars.