A white person with pink hair in ponytail and bangs, wearing a black top and rainbow glasses, smiles while leaning their cheek on their hand.

Hi, I’m Jamie Chase (she/they)

I’m an autistic and ADHD educator and doctoral researcher at the University of Washington.
My work explores language development, autistic identity,
and neurodivergent forms of communication.

This website is a space to introduce myself and share information about my current study.
I want potential participants to know who I am, what I value,
and what to expect before deciding whether to take part.

My goal is to create a research process built on mutual respect, transparency, and care.
My work challenges deficit-based narratives and affirms that all ways
of communicating deserve respect, curiosity, and care.

About the Research

Why This Study

Many autistic people use language in creative ways, like repeating favorite lines from shows or songs, reusing phrases that feel right, or mixing pieces of familiar language into conversation. These ways of communicating are sometimes called echolalia or scripting.

Too often, people think of this kind of speech as meaningless or something to “fix.” But for many, it’s a natural and expressive way to communicate. It can show emotion, help with connection, and carry important memories.

This study focuses on those experiences. I’m interested in hearing from autistic adults who use or have used echoed or repeated language as part of how they communicate. The goal is to help people better understand these forms of communication; not as problems to solve, but as meaningful, valid, and worth celebrating.

Why It Matters

Research about autism has often been written about autistic people, not with us. This project takes a different approach: centering lived experiences and acknowledging that language, identity, and meaning are deeply intertwined.

By sharing lived experiences, the autistic people I work with will be contributing to a more accurate, affirming understanding of autistic communication, and helping shape future research, teaching, and practice.

Research Approach

This study is grounded in Disability Justice, Crip Linguistics, and neurodiversity-affirming practice. These frameworks remind me that disabled people’s knowledge is essential and that access is about more than logistics. It’s about respect, autonomy, and trust.

As a researcher, I see participants as co-creators of understanding, not as subjects being studied. My role is to listen, learn, and hold space for the richness and complexity of lived experience. I want participation to feel like an ongoing conversation rather than a test; something grounded in care, curiosity, and collaboration.

My Unique Approach

To support that, I’m piloting adapted tools designed for nonlinear, event-anchored, and sensory-based memory recall. These tools (such as modified communication mapping and layered recall prompts) allow participants to share memories in the ways that feel most natural to them. Whether a memory is connected to a sound, phrase, feeling, or sensory experience, these approaches honor the reality that our stories often emerge through texture, rhythm, and emotion rather than strict timelines.

This research aims not only to learn about echolalia, but to model what neurodiversity-affirming research can look like: flexible, participant-driven, and deeply respectful of how autistic people communicate and remember.

Participation

Who I’m Looking For

Are you an autistic adult (18+) who:

Quotes or remix lines from movies, shows, songs, or memes in daily conversation
Finds that repeating phrases you’ve heard before helps you express yourself, regulate emotions, or connect with others
Has been described by others (or by clinicians) as using “echolalia,” “scripting,” or “repetitive speech”

If this sounds like you, I’d love to start a conversation with you about your communication experiences for a research study on how autistic adults use echoed or borrowed language as meaningful, creative, and relational expression.

You don’t need a formal diagnosis or any specific way of speaking; every communication style and access need is welcome.

I'm Also Seeking

I would like the tools that I am developing or this study to be as affirming, accessible and meaningful for participants as possible. I would love to have autistic adults who are willing to review and give me feedback on these tools before I implement them.

What Participation Involves

Participation begins with a short form that invites you to note key people, places, events, and interests from periods in your life, as well as upload images or photos that help you recall particular memories. We will use these to help anchor your memory during a few relaxed conversations (virtual or in person) to discuss your experiences.

Your Comfort and Voice are Important

During the sessions, you can:

Communicate however feels most natural: speaking, typing, scripting, using AAC, or mixing methods.
Take breaks or reschedule at any time.
Choose to break longer interviews into several shorter sessions if that’s easier on your energy.
Decide how much or how little to share.
Review your transcript afterward and make edits or clarifications if something doesn’t feel right.
Each session is flexible and shaped around your comfort and communication preferences. My aim is to create a research space where you can show up as yourself; no performance, no pressure.

Accessibility and Comfort

Access is built into every stage of this project. I offer flexible scheduling, content warnings when discussing sensitive topics, and pacing that responds to your needs. Materials are available in multiple formats (text, visual, audio) depending on what supports your participation.

If you have particular accessibility requests (like visual prompts, sensory breaks, or additional prep time) I’ll do my best to accommodate them. You know your body and mind best, and I trust your expertise on what helps you participate fully.

Looking Ahead

This study is currently in the preparation stage while
I complete the ethical review process through my university’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). That process ensures the study protects participants’ privacy, safety,
and consent at every stage.

Right now, I’m gathering expressions of interest from people who might like to be involved once approval is complete. Sharing your interest doesn’t commit you to participate, it simply means I can contact you later with updates and an official invitation once the study opens.

Your curiosity, support, and willingness to share your experience already matter deeply. This project is built on the idea that autistic voices and ways of communicating are worth listening to, studying, and celebrating. Together, we can build a richer understanding of echolalia and the many ways language lives within us.

Interested?

If you’d like to stay connected or be notified when recruitment begins, you can fill out this short form.

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