NJACE Symposia: Roy R. Grinker, PhD

“Diagnosing the Spectrum: The Role of Culture in the Study of Autism”

Date and Time: Thursday, January 29, 2026, 12 – 1 PM

Speaker: Roy R. Grinker, PhD

In this lecture, Roy R. Grinker, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology at the George Washington University, lecture responds to what some commentators call an “autism epidemic.” Drawing on personal experience, the history of diagnosis, and cross-cultural variations in the identification of developmental disorders and mental illnesses, he traces the cultural and historical processes that have shifted the definitions and boundaries of the concept of autism. He emphasizes that autism is best thought of as “autisms” (multiple pathways and presentations), shaped not only by biology but by social meanings, institutions, and inequalities. The lecture closes by urging policies and research to prioritize lifespan support,
services, and inclusion, rather than to search for easy answers or single causes.

RSVP HERE By January 26: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eEG3TC2hGtKdUoe