Towards Aligned, Responsive, and Rigorous Appraisal of Neurodiversity Affirming Mental Health Research: The Neurodiversity Appraisal Tool (NeuDAT)

Abstract

The concept of neurodiversity has gained rapid scholarly, clinical, and broad community momentum. This includes the inclusion of understanding neurodiversity approaches as a new mandated competency for Australian psychologists to gain and maintain registration to practice. Consensus regarding the core conceptual features and effective application of neurodiversity affirming principles in research is evolving, and the field lacks a standardized tool to guide the interpretation, appraisal, and assessment of neurodiversity affirming mental health research. This includes moving beyond narrow Western ontologies of neurodiversity that often prevail in contemporary scholarship. Moreover, policymake..