Commentary on “A critical reflection on the development of the Participatory Autism Research Collective (PARC)”

The purpose of this paper is to explore the wider impact of participatory research (PR) on the autistic academic, families and caregivers, and the researcher.

This commentary considers participatory methods from the perspective of an autistic female with experience on both sides of PR.

The positive aspects of PR outweigh the potential challenges faced, both by the researchers and the participants. Participatory methods are likely to increase the attractiveness of the research to participants.

Further research is required to explore both the impact PARC’s work has on the autistic academic in the long term, and whether it can yield similar results in alternative areas. In addition to this, consideration needs to be given as to whether the methodologies developed can be used to support a wider range of disabled individuals who are not currently able to access higher education.