How Have Non-speaking and Minimally Verbal Autistic Children Been Included as Direct Participants in Qualitative Research? A Scoping Review of Methods

Non-speaking and minimally verbal autistic children are rarely included as direct sources of qualitative data. This scoping review followed the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR. We searched eight databases and grey literature, screened 2,092 records and included 11 studies (2012–2025) involving non-speaking or minimally verbal autistic children aged 5–18. We used thematic synthesis to identify six themes. Most studies used video observation, and analysis varied. Studies took two positions on how the child’s communication system related to the method. Theoretical frameworks guided how children took part. Consent and assent were reported in different ways. Studies differed in the time and relationship-building they described. Five studies treated refusal and resistance as communication. The evidence base is small, and the studies are not fully independent. Studies that treat children’s own communication as data show that direct participation is possible.