I am Dr. T. A. Meridian McDonald, the principal investigator of Spectrum for Life (S4L) and a member affiliate of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation. I have been an innovative neurodiversity-affirming researcher since 2005. I have expanded my career to practice as a licensed professional counseling. I received the honor of designing and earning my one-of-a-kind, interdisciplinary PHD focused primary on autism. I have two Masters degrees (Developmental Psychology, Counseling Psychology). I also completed the Leadership in Education for Neurodevelopmental Disorders programs (General and Advanced Leadership). To learn more about my extensive education and training experiences, please visit www.tamcdonald.org.
Bio Background: I am a multiracial, multiply-neurodivergent (autism; production dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysphasia; etc) and disabled (e.g., Ehlers Danlos, autoimmune, etc), queer, first-generation college graduate/academic from a multiplex family (multiple autistic family members). Both of my parents are multiracial, neurodivergent, and disabled and my mother was an undocumented immigrant. I experienced poverty (personal and intergenerational), housing and education insecurity, trauma, and other ACES in childhood. I exited the K-12 education system before completing 9th grade, and experienced homelessness for several years before and after attaining my GED at age 20. I raised my multiply neurodivergent and disabled son as a single parent. These direct experiences informed by training experiences and my research. More about my bio and path toward becoming a PhD, researcher, and therapist can be found here: https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/News-and-Media/California-Community-Colleges-Outlook-Newsletter/citrus-college-autism-researcher.
I started Spectrum for Life because
- Neurodiversity-Affirming Research is woefully underfunded in the United States. From its inception, Spectrum for Life (S4L) focuses entirely on factors related to Autistic Flourishing. These factors include a neurodiversity-affirming unifying theory of autism (BAPCO-DMAP) to better understand autism; Autistic self-determination; Autistic identity; co-occurring conditions and circumstances; discrimination and more. Scroll down the home page at spectrumforlife.com for more information about research at S4L.
- Over time, I was able to gain greater independence of my Lab- eventually creating the independent Spectrum for Life Organization. This was important to me since working within other organizations created pressure to engage in or promote research that is non-affirming or even eugenics-related. There was also pressure to forgo neurodiversity-affirming research due to lack of funding sources. Researchers are encouraged to “chase the money” which is problematic when funding agencies prioritize non-affirming research. These pressures went against my personal and professional ethics.
- Spectrum for Life directly collaborates with other neurodivergent researchers and students as well as allies. I work with established researchers as well as undergraduates and graduate students from a wide range of institutions. I also work with passionate people outside of academia when there is mutual interest. Feel free to contact me at: https://spectrumforlife.wordpress.com/contact-s4l/
Feel free to browse through the website or, even, take part in the S4L Interconnected Surveys Study! We are glad you are here!
Spectrum for Life Research 