Structural discrimination is discrimination that results from the policies, rules, institutional practices, funding priorities, decision-making systems, and built-in assumptions of organizations or systems. It does not require any person to intend harm. It occurs when those structures consistently disadvantage a protected or marginalized group. That is the definition at the center of Chapter Four ofContinue reading “The Question is: Why has the NIH refused to fund research on autistic adults’ physical health?”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Structural Discrimination in the Very Laws Meant to Protect People with Disabilities
In this post, I am raising the alarm about structural discrimination in the very laws meant to protect people with disabilities. I’m sharing the podcast link because I’m grateful this story is being discussed. There is one part of the experience that was not covered, and I completely understand why: it is legally complicated, andContinue reading “Structural Discrimination in the Very Laws Meant to Protect People with Disabilities”
The reason to risk it all by whistleblowing? Autistic Adults are suffering and dying from chronic physical health conditions and face structural discrimination from NIH funding.
The third chapter of When Autistic Kids Grow Up, the new 5-part podcast series from Brady Huggett at The Transmitter, is out now. Chapter 3, “Would there be data?,” gets to the heart of why I began this work—and why I refused to look away. Autistic adults are suffering—and dying—from chronic physical health conditions atContinue reading “The reason to risk it all by whistleblowing? Autistic Adults are suffering and dying from chronic physical health conditions and face structural discrimination from NIH funding.”
My Journey of Surviving Homelessness while Autistic
Chapter 2 of When Autistic Kids Grow Up goes places many people would rather not look. I’m grateful to Brady Huggett for telling this story without flinching from the truth. This is a packed episode—psychedelics, homelessness, pool halls, the birth of my son, our road to his autism diagnosis, and my battle to get throughContinue reading “My Journey of Surviving Homelessness while Autistic”
Chapter 1: When Autistic Kids Grow Up
I’m honored to be featured in When Autistic Kids Grow Up, a 5-part podcast series by Brady Huggett for The Transmitter. Part one shares my early life story, and one of the things I love most about it is hearing my father talk about homesteading in Alaska before and just after I was born. ThisContinue reading “Chapter 1: When Autistic Kids Grow Up”
Chapter 1: When Autistic Kids Grow Up
I’m honored to be featured in When Autistic Kids Grow Up, a 5-part podcast series by Brady Huggett for The Transmitter. Part one shares my early life story, and one of the things I love most about it is hearing my father talk about homesteading in Alaska before and just after I was born. ThisContinue reading “Chapter 1: When Autistic Kids Grow Up”
Trailer: 5-Part Podcast Series on Autistic Physical Health Research Disparities
The Transmitter, a leading neuroscience news provider, has released a five part podcast series about my and Audrey Scudder’s research focused on disparities in NIH funding patterns.
Stop the Autism Hate Speech
What is being said about Autism is Atrocious and False. Autistic people work, they go on dates, they play sports, they write poetry. To say autistic people do not do these things is like saying humans do not do these things. Not all humans do all of these things; neither do all autistic people. AutisticContinue reading “Stop the Autism Hate Speech”
Discrimination = Death… and Pain, Suffering and Poorer Quality of Life for Autistic Adults with Co-Occurring Conditions
It does not save anyone money to burn research already published. It wastes money. And worse- it wastes literal lives. On that note… I am PROUD to report that that the Gov’t took down the archived recording of our invited Presentation hosted by the Autism Intervention Research Network-Physical Health at UCLA on our research thatContinue reading “Discrimination = Death… and Pain, Suffering and Poorer Quality of Life for Autistic Adults with Co-Occurring Conditions”
Introducing Myself and Spectrum for Life (S4L)
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 andContinue reading “Introducing Myself and Spectrum for Life (S4L)”
Spectrum for Life Research 