Towards an Inclusive Approach to Studying Social Inclusion Among Neurodivergent Adolescents and Adults

ABSTRACT The perspectives of neurodivergent people with the most intensive support needs, particularly those with multiple marginalized identities, are underrepresented in research on community inclusion. Thus, developing a method for studying social inclusion that captures every perspective is crucial for realizing the promise of neurodiversity. Based on validated measures of two dimensions of social inclusion (community participation and interpersonal relationships), we worked towards developing a method that provides quantitative and qualitative data on community experiences. With feedback from pilot participants, we developed a dyadic interview protocol that 11 neurodivergent participant‐support person dyads responded to in Study 1. Study 2 incorporates taking photographs and engages 20 participant‐support person dyads in an interactive interview with open‐ended questions and scaled items. Findings are discussed with the goal of stimulating future research on the development of a meaningful and fully accessible methodology for studying social inclusion experiences.