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Neurodivergent_PHD @dr-t-a-mcdonald.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Vote by Oct 15! When autistic kids grow up is a Signal Awards Health & Wellness FINALIST. There is almost no research funding for autistic adults, and specific funding policies kept physical-health research from being considered. That barrier must change. Vote: vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting...

vote.signalaward.com

The Signal Listener's Choice Award needs YOU

I just voted for this finalist to win a Signal Listener's Choice Award. You should too.

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Reposted by Neurodivergent_PHD

The Transmitter @thetransmitter.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

“When autistic kids grow up” is a five-part podcast exploring how @dr-t-a-mcdonald.bsky.social’s lived experience fueled her research, and how she stumbled onto a problem with autism funding that has been hiding in plain sight. Listen now: www.thetransmitter.org/when-autisti... #neuroskyence

thetransmitter.org

When autistic kids grow up

An autistic researcher’s paper called attention to a huge disparity in autism funding research between children and adults. It nearly derailed her life.

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Neurodivergent_PHD @dr-t-a-mcdonald.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

1/ Structural discrimination is discrimination produced by policies, rules, institutional practices, funding priorities, decision-making systems, and assumptions. It does not require any one person to intend harm. It happens when structures consistently disadvantage a marginalized group.

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Reposted by Neurodivergent_PHD

The Transmitter @thetransmitter.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

“When autistic kids grow up” is a five-part podcast exploring how Tempest McDonald’s lived experience fueled her research, and how she stumbled onto a problem with autism funding that has been hiding in plain sight. Explore Chapter 1, out now, wherever you get your podcasts: bit.ly/43LtBn2

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Neurodivergent_PHD @dr-t-a-mcdonald.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

I’m featured in When Autistic Kids Grow Up, a 5-part podcast series by Brady Huggett for The Transmitter. Part 1 tells the story of my early life, my family’s humble beginnings, & my childhood as an undiagnosed autistic child in an undiagnosed autistic family www.thetransmitter.org/when-autisti...

thetransmitter.org

When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 1: Those people

What leads an autism researcher to publish an intentionally inflammatory paper accusing the NIH of discrimination?

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Neurodivergent_PHD @dr-t-a-mcdonald.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

We require unifying theories of autism that can adequately account for complexity. My published theory of autism deals with the complexity of the intrinsic value of autistic traits and their interaction with co-occurring conditions. Co-occurring conditions, including marginalization, disable autism.

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Neurodivergent_PHD @dr-t-a-mcdonald.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

I have no desire to discuss the recent national declaration of nonsense about autism. I try to avoid suffering fools and have no desire to dignify the declaration in any way beyond this statement.

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Neurodivergent_PHD @dr-t-a-mcdonald.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Also honored that my work on self-diagnosed autistic adults is cited in this article validating the DSM Social Anxiety Severity Scale for use with Autistic Adults. Super happy to see more research including self-diagnosed autistic adults! #autism #actuallyautistic lnkd.in/evsk4G4s

lnkd.in

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

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Neurodivergent_PHD @dr-t-a-mcdonald.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Honored that my work in autistic identity was cited in this article focused on their measure (Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory). This inventory may become a boon for self-diagnosed/identifying autistic adults. #autism #actuallyautistic journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

journals.sagepub.com

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

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Neurodivergent_PHD @dr-t-a-mcdonald.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

In case you couldn't hear it in the back row: "We [every major autism organization in the US] are deeply concerned by growing public rhetoric and policy decisions that challenge these shared principles.

aucd.org

AUCD News | Leading Autism Organizations Release Joint Statement on Upholding Scientific Integrity and Supporting the Autism Community

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Neurodivergent_PHD @dr-t-a-mcdonald.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

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.

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Neurodivergent_PHD @dr-t-a-mcdonald.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

In the past, Congress decided that children with disabilities are **Worth** educating. This is the Department that prevented, and continues to prevent, States from discriminating against students with disabilities. See link for full post: www.linkedin.com/posts/t-a-me...

linkedin.com

Congress decided that children with disabilities are **Worth** educating.… | Dr. T. A. Meridian McDonald

Congress decided that children with disabilities are **Worth** educating. This is the Department that prevented, and continues to prevent, States from…

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Neurodivergent_PHD @dr-t-a-mcdonald.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Children do not Die of Autism. People do not Die from Autism. People *DO* die from being unvaccinated. Indeed, it is likely that autistic people are *more* vulnerable to not being vaccinated as they are more likely to have co-occurring health conditions. www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/03/10/c...

disabilityscoop.com

CDC To Revisit Debunked Link Between Vaccines And Autism

The CDC is planning a large study on the long-discredited connection between autism and vaccines, a move that advocates say will squander precious government resources.

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