Dr Kana Grace is a multiply neurodivergent researcher passionate about making a difference for autistic people. She has been making change through her research into autism and loneliness, as a specialist mentor and public speaker, and through her lived experience as a steering group member for Embracing Complexity.

Having lived in Japan, the USA and the UK, she’s seen how different countries approach neurodivergence research. She wants to see a culture shift where all autism research is neurodiversity-affirming and gives voice to lived experience, something she feels is more evident in the UK than elsewhere.

I’m autistic, ADHDer, dyslexic, dyspraxic, and have Tourette’s. I've always been naturally curious, with a wide range of interests, and I often find myself questioning various aspects of life. I've been told that research is my calling, and I couldn't agree more. I believe that academic research can ensure that the experiences of neurodivergent individuals are taken seriously by others and society.

Back in 2016, my mother attended a lecture by an autistic person and told me that their experiences seemed like mine. This piqued my interest in autism. I had to find out more. At the time, I was studying for a Master's degree in mental health counselling at Boston College in the US. After persistently contacting Professor Kristen Bottema-Beautel, who focuses on autism research at Boston College, she agreed to let me be part of her research lab and supervise my Master's research. I then graduated with a research degree, instead of the clinical degree I initially signed up for.

My research found that autistic adults seek social connections, but experience loneliness in certain contexts. Autistic adults often face barriers in forming social relationships, leading to exhaustion and isolation. Since social interaction can be draining, they may need to withdraw, perpetuating the cycle of loneliness. My research identified strategies to break this cycle.

I found that acceptance of autistic differences can alleviate loneliness. Whether that’s through relationships, pets or online communities. I also found that loneliness in autistic adults appears to be underpinned by a lack of societal understanding and acceptance of autism. By addressing this, we can reduce loneliness among autistic adults.

Nothing from my research surprised me; as an autistic individual, I found myself nodding in agreement with the findings. However, the importance of my work lies in giving a voice to autistic people through academic research.

A systematic review from my PhD research was incorporated into a government document on public health in Sweden earlier this year. Another significant contribution was my examination of measures to assess loneliness in autistic adults, which laid the groundwork for an international collaboration developing an autism-specific loneliness measure, funded by Autism Spectrum Australia.

We hear you founded an autistic peer group while at UCL. Could you tell us about that?

I established the Autistic Peer Group (APG) at UCL to create a safe space for autistic students to connect and support each other throughout university life. It was the first-ever autistic peer group at UCL. Higher education can be daunting, causing feelings of discomfort, anxiety, and self-doubt.

My own journey through higher education was far from direct. I deviated from the "typical" path, often needing to adjust or seek accommodations. Founding the APG was my way of providing future students with the support I lacked during my higher education journey. I'm pleased that it continues to provide a sense of belonging and connection for autistic students, even after passing on the leadership.

I have many ideas that other people call creative or innovative. On the flip side, it’s always on the go. This can make it tough to focus on my work, even with maximum doses of ADHD medication.

I have strong long-term memory rich in specific details, like a video recording. However, I have terrible short-term memory. I forget things I’ve just read or talked about in no time. But I've got my system; taking notes on everything to keep track.

Writing and reading can stress me out, making my tics unstoppable. But I’ve figured out my own way to get through it using audio, voice recorders, and AI.

I’m part of Embracing Complexity because I believe in the value of transdiagnostic research. Focusing solely on autism or ADHD might miss the nuanced experiences of people with multiple neurodivergences, like me.

I am part of Embracing Complexity’s steering group and was involved in their priority-setting project, which has recently been published as a report.

I appreciate Embracing Complexity's mission, which is reflected in its name: to acknowledge and address the intricate overlap of neurodivergent identities. I am eager to continue contributing to the coalition’s projects.

I founded Valtameri, an organisation advocating for neurodivergent people and their families. I also work as a specialist mentor for neurodivergent people of all ages, including students, professionals, and workers from various sectors across the globe.

Post-PhD, I've pursued opportunities to discuss neurodivergence, combining my personal and academic perspectives. I've given public lectures in English and Japanese and was recently a keynote speaker at an international symposium at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST). The feedback on my talks has been overwhelmingly positive, which I've documented on Valtameri’s blog.

I was born and raised in mainland Japan, where, frankly, I found it very uncomfortable to live. The cultural preference for uniformity often sidelines those who don’t fit in, stifling their potential. Now, I live in Okinawa, which I absolutely love because diversity is more of a norm here. The broader mix of nationalities, skin colours, and languages makes it feel more inclusive than the mainland.

While searching for PhD opportunities in the US, I noticed a lack of neurodiversity-affirmative research on neurodivergence. This led me to the UK to work with Professor Laura Crane. I wanted to be supervised by someone who would nurture me as a researcher who was dedicated to valuing the perspectives of autistic people. I am still grateful that Laura was my supervisor.

My dream is to establish Japan’s first neurodivergence co-production research centre. Unlike in the UK, where experts by experience are recognised and compensated for their time and expertise, the term "experts by experience" is virtually unknown here. Most neurodivergence research in Japan is deficit-based. It’s crucial that research about neurodivergent people reflects our views and benefits us. Otherwise, all the research time and findings are utterly worthless.

Since childhood, I've been full of questions. With technology, I've been able to search for answers online. However, many questions remain unanswered. I understand aspects of neurodivergence through my own experiences, but I need to validate scientifically to ensure our experiences are acknowledged and believed.