Methodological adjustments for experimental studies including neurodiverse participants: A checklist for before, during, and after laboratory visits

Abstract

In this paper, we developed an experimental checklist for laboratory experiments including neurodiverse participants, particularly those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and dyslexia. The checklist suggests additions to the basic requirements for ethical laboratory-based studies with human participants. The suggestions emphasize physical comfort, the agency of participants concerning environmental adjustments, clarity of communication, and a focus on participants’ overall well-being. Those methodological guidelines aim to help researchers in facilitating inclusive and accessible laboratory environments for neurodiverse participants in order to: • Enhance research validity by minimizing the influence of factors that affect responses in neuroscience experiments. • Facilitate research recruitment by encouraging continued participation in future studies and increasing word-of-mouth. • Improve research dissemination by fostering a more positive perception of the research process amongst neurodiverse individuals and encouraging community involvement.

Keywords

• Checklist for Experimental Studies Including Neurodiverse Participants