Centering Autistic Joy: A Vital Shift in Autism Research
For far too long, autism research has focused primarily on deficits, challenges and what autistic people “lack.” This deficit-based framing shapes public understanding and often influences how support and interventions are designed. But what if we shifted our focus — what if we started by listening to autistic people’s experiences of joy?
Eliot Wassell’s recent study — "Experiences of Autistic Joy" — does exactly that. It centers the voices of autistic adults, many of whom identify as women or non-binary, and explores the sensory experiences, special interests and environmental conditions that create joy in their lives. This is not a trivial pursuit. It is a powerful act of resistance against decades of pathologizing narratives.
At Autism Answers Back, this approach aligns deeply with our mission. We believe autism research must talk with autistic people, not just about us. We know the spectrum is wide, encompassing diverse experiences, needs and identities. Wassell’s study exemplifies this commitment by focusing on strengths and lived experience.
The study’s participants describe joy as emerging from the “right conditions” — safe environments, acceptance and the freedom to engage in self-directed interests. As Wassell writes, “joy can be found in the autistic sensorium itself, through sensory experiences and ways of perceiving the world unique to autistic people.” Another participant reflected, “My special interests bring me happiness and a sense of meaning that nothing else does.” These insights remind us that autistic joy is not separate from the challenges we face; it is intertwined with the environments and systems that either support or suppress us.
We celebrate this study not because it answers all the questions but because it opens new ones. It challenges researchers, advocates and policymakers to reconsider what we value and how we define success. It asks us to recognize autistic joy as real, valid and essential.
However, from an Autism Answers Back perspective, we must also acknowledge a significant limitation: the study does not appear to include autistic co-researchers or consultants. Inclusion of autistic voices throughout the research process—not only as participants—is essential for authenticity, respect and ethical integrity.
While the study’s participatory recruitment is a strength, autistic leadership in framing questions, methodology and analysis ensures that research truly honors lived experience and minimizes misinterpretation or harm.
Furthermore, no single study can capture the full diversity of autistic lives. While Wassell’s work offers rich insight, we continue to advocate for broader inclusion of voices, especially those with higher support needs and non-speaking autistic people.
We call on the autism research community to follow this example by centering autistic perspectives at every stage and expanding definitions of what it means to thrive. Because autistic people deserve recognition, respect and joy — not just survival.
This study is a meaningful step toward that vision. Autism Answers Back is committed to walking that path alongside the community.