Good Practice Guide ELPART
General Principles
✅ Use ELPART’s five-point scale to assess involvement of autistic people in each stage of the research process (0 = No involvement, 1 = Minimal involvement, 2 = Equal involvement, 3 = Mostly autistic-led, 4 = Completely autistic-led).
✅ To be used throughout the process rather than at the end.
❌ The ELPART should not used as a tick box to complete at the end of a research project but should be used from the start to guide good practice.
✅ Autistic community members should be involved in completing the ELPART and PAR group checklist.
✅ Relationships are key to successful collaboration with the autistic community so should be prioritised throughout the research process.
✅ Fostering an environment that is inclusive and encourages open, honest and creative discussions is crucial.
Stage 1: Deciding the Research Topic
🤝 Involve autistic people from the outset, including deciding area of research and funding applications.
🎯 Ensure research aligns with research priorities identified by the autistic community.
📊 Use tools like social media polls or consultations to gather input on relevant topics.
🌐 Address barriers to grant participation by building relationships with autistic networks.
Stage 2: Selecting Research Methods and Tools
🧠 Co-develop research questions and aims with autistic collaborators.
🎨 Choose accessible, appropriate and creative data collection methods that empower participants.
🗒️ Ensure instructions and materials are clear and respectful of autistic communication styles.
🗣️ Use language aligned with community preferences.
🌍 Prioritise inclusive sampling to reflect a diverse range of autistic experiences.
Stage 3: Conducting Research
🧑💼 Include autistic people in data collection roles (e.g., interviewers) to improve relevance and trust.
📣 Engage in outreach to reach underrepresented groups in the autistic community in coproduction with autistic people.
Stage 4: Analysing Research
🧭 Involve autistic collaborators in choosing analysis methods.
🔍 Autistic people should co analyse results and interpret findings.
💡 Recognise and utilise autistic strengths such as hyperfocus and attention to detail.
🗨️ Ensure autistic voices shape how results are presented and what implications are drawn.
Stage 5: Disseminating Results
📢 Collaboratively decide on dissemination strategies that maximise accessibility and impact.
🎤 Encourage autistic involvement in public presentations and community sharing.
✍️ Promote co-authorship to recognise contributions, build skills, and support career development.
💬 Share findings in ways that reduce stigma and resonate with community goals.