Inclusive Research: Reflections on Co‐Producing Autism Educational Research

ABSTRACT Critical to strengthening educational policy, research, and practice is meaningful engagement through co‐produced research that seeks autistic and autism community perspectives. Co‐production ensures autistic voices are engaged as experts, valuing their depth of experiential knowledge, relevance, practicality and experience to the research team that maximises research success, relevance and knowledge translation. Co‐produced educational research with and for the autistic community increases the likelihood of success in schools for autistic learners. This paper reflects on the experiences of one research team in developing a co‐produced research project commissioned by Autism CRC that investigated barriers and enablers to autistic learners' success in Australian schools. This project involved conceptualisation, consultation, collaboration and co‐production of educational research with the autistic and autism community. The project involved co‐production with seven autistic consultants, five autism community partners and two autistic research assistants across the life of the project. Central to the project was ensuring that all research elements were informed by the autistic and autism communities with their contributions not just being acknowledged but deeply valued and appreciated, as they participated from conception to research outputs. Co‐produced reflections will consider key themes related to co‐production, collaboration, communication, and authenticity, discussing lessons learned and providing recommendations for ensuring the quality and authenticity of future co‐produced autism educational research.