Singh Keynotes Georgia Autism Conference

Posted May 26, 2016

Jennifer Singh, assistant professor in the Ivan Allen College School of History and Sociology, was a keynote speaker for the Autism Conference and Expo of Georgia held April 14 - 15, 2016, in Peachtree City, Georgia. Singh led the State of Research conversation for the conference and was on a panel with Cathy Rice, director of the Emory Autism Center, discussing research priorities and future directions for autism spectrum disorder.

The conference was hosted by the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State in order to share research in 10 critical areas of the Autism Plan for Georgia. Participants included public health, education, and service providers from across the state. 

In her new book, Multiple Autisms: Spectrums of Advocacy and Genomic Science (University of Minnesota Press, 2016), Singh offers a critical case study of how science operates within social and political contexts, and the assumptions that influence the production of one way of knowing autism over another. It also reveals how science is a social process built not necessarily on objective and measurable “truths” but on priorities valued within scientific communities at particular historical and political moments in time.

“The hyperfocus on genetics research has subjugated other ways of knowing and understanding autism, especially the social and structural forces that shape how people experience autism, as well as strategies to navigate everyday life and services.”

Singh’s keynote session during the Autism Conference focused on the imbalanced research priorities that have overwhelmingly favored genetics research projects to the point of omitting research that would benefit people living with autism such as innovative and successful community services and supports that could potentially benefit the full spectrum of people with autism.

“One of the ways I hope my research has an impact is by starting a larger conversation about how knowledge is produced — who is producing it and who is creating the priorities for the kinds of research questions we ask.”

View full conference program
Read more about Dr. Singh’s Autism Research