When Autistic people leave spaces suddenly or against expectations, this can sometimes be referred to as “eloping”. Different people might have a range of other words they would use instead: fleeing, running away, “nope-ing”, wandering, going missing, hiding, getting lost. While researchers have investigated the risks of “eloping” – especially for children -- they have seldom asked Autistic people what these departures mean for them. In this presentation, Dr. Gibson will share reflections and emerging research findings from a mixed-methods, participatory research project taking place in Ontario, Canada. Through online surveys and narrative interviews, Autistic people have offered their insights on the range of reasons why they leave places and what they want other people to do – and not do – in response. In these accounts, leaving places becomes a mode of neuroqueer resistance, and highlights the everyday ways in which normative relations, workers, and institutions constrain the expression and agency of neurodivergent and Autistic people.

This research is supported by an Insight Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.