MethodsLab: Listening to the non-speaking experience

This MethodsLab is a full-day event at the University of Manchester focused on developing ethical and effective qualitative methods for including non-speaking neurodiverse young people in research. Bringing together academics, practitioners, parents, and autistic young adults (18+), it will feature talks, posters, and hands-on activities to explore and test different approaches. Co-created with neurodiverse participants, the event will produce inclusive research guidelines and foster a collaborative community of practice.

The MethodsLab will tackle the methodological and ethical challenges of qualitatively eliciting the voices of non-speaking neurodivergent young people. Hosted at the University of Manchester, this a collaborative event between academics, parents, practitioners, and young people.

The day will feature lightning talks and hands-on sessions. A key outcome will be the co-construction of research guidelines with neurodivergent young people, ensuring recommendations are inclusive and grounded in lived experience.

Ultimately, the MethodsLab aims to foster methodological innovation and build a community of practice that empowers researchers to include non-speaking neurodivergent young people ethically and effectively in qualitative research.

Talking Mats is a social enterprise whose vision is to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties by increasing their capacity to think about and communicate effectively about things that matter to them. Our innovative, award-winning communication tool is based on extensive research and was designed by Speech and Language Therapists. See the Talking Mats website.

‘I am’ Digital Stories is an inclusive, strengths-based method for enabling the voices of children and young people, especially those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), to be shared within their transitions. This method uses digital filmmaking processes to create a short (3-5 minute) video with the child or young person so that they can contribute their perspectives to transition planning. See the Digital Stories website.

This event is supported by a MethodsLab grant from

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