Article: "Autism is me": An investigation of how autistic individuals make sense of autism and stigma DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/gv2mw

Overall, the study was detailed and provided thorough information. There are concerns on if the study could be replicated in future research. The beginning aim of the study was towards autism and connectedness. However, the study changed focus towards autism and stigma based on the qualitative information gathered from participants. It is difficult to understand what the original purpose of the study was. The researchers seemed to change the interview questions and aim of the study while the study was in progress.

The strengths of the article are the extensive literature review and detail provided in the results section. This article could help people understand how people with autism view themselves and society.

Major points in the article which needs clarification, refinement, reanalysis, rewrites and/or additional information and suggestions for what could be done to improve the article.

1. The study seems to have changed the aim after the initial interviewing of participants began; this process needs to be explained more in depth. Example of initial interview questions would be helpful.
2. There is a potential bias due to the lead researcher completing the interviews and having autism themselves. This should be stated in the article.
3. The discussion had several references to support the results of this article. However, it seemed redundant to the results section. It is recommended to be more concise in this section.
4. Some of the information in the discussion does not seem pertinent to this article. It is recommended to relate this information directly back to the study or cut out the information. For example, the information regarding the “extreme male brain”.

Minor points like figures/tables not being mentioned in the text, a missing reference, typos, and other inconsistencies.

1. Review the reference section. There are some APA errors such as: In the article title, only in the first letter of the first word should be capitalized, proper nouns, and the first letter of the word after a colon.