After Lunch: "Understanding the Daily Life of Gastrointestinal Symptoms for Autistic Children and Adults: The Power of Community-Engaged Research Approach"

Speaker: Dr. Amber Angell, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA with Daniella (Dani) Florindez, MPH; Tavia L. Lawson, and Melanie Guzman, BA.

In this session, findings from an ongoing research study in the Disparity Reduction and Equity in Autism Services (DREAmS) Lab focused on how autistic people and their families experience gastrointestinal symptoms, which commonly co-occur with autism, and their experiences seeking healthcare to address these symptoms will be presented. To be described will be the community-engaged research approach with Autistic Lived Experience Collaborators, a group of autistic adult collaborators, including innovative ways that are contributing to ongoing data analysis. During this presentation, the Autistic Lived Experience Collaborators will share their perspectives about and experiences with participating in this study. Participants will discuss implications for occupational therapy providers and the provision of person- and family-centered, neurodiversity-affirming care.