The idea of the “autism spectrum” is widely used in diagnosis, education and public discussion. First developed by the psychiatrist Lorna Wing in the 1980s, the term was intended to reflect the wide range of autistic experiences and needs.
But a growing body of research is questioning whether the concept still helps us understand autistic lives.
We are autistic researchers of communication, education and neurodiversity. Our research focuses on paying attention to how people express knowledge and experience when communication does not fit mainstream expectations, particularly when it goes beyond spoken language.
