Autistic-led autism research - with Dr. Kana Grace

Beyond 6 Seconds

Dr. Kana Grace is a research psychologist, advocate, Specialist Mentor, and educator, specializing in the mental and physical health of neurodivergent people. Currently, Kana is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE) at the Institute of Education, University College London (UCL), where she completed her PhD.

Kana has lived experiences with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, dyspraxia, hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

She founded Valtameri (which means ocean in Finnish) to advocate for and support neurodivergent people and their families, based in Okinawa, Japan. Through Valtameri, she offers one-to-one support for neurodivergent people of all ages. She also gives talks and public lectures to deepen the understanding of neurodivergence in Okinawa Japan, and all over the world.

Fluent in both English and Japanese, Kana bridges cultures in her extensive work.

During this episode, you will hear Kana talk about:

• How she discovered she is neurodivergent while at University
• What her life was like before she was diagnosed
• Why she decided to focus her PhD on the study of loneliness in autistic adults
• The importance of involving autistic researchers in autism research
• Her experience working in academia
• Her observations about how autism and neurodivergence is viewed in Japan
• The goals she wants to achieve with her research

Find out more about Kana and her work on her Linktree.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

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*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*