Uplifting Neurodiverse Communities: Alex Sturm’s Holistic Approach to Autism Research

Alex Sturm, a licensed clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychological science at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), is deeply committed to advancing equity and access for neurodivergent individuals through her research. Focusing on the lived experiences of autistic youth and adults, she approaches her work with a holistic mindset, believing in the importance of addressing the full person in all aspects of life.

"I am always thinking about the whole person," Sturm says. "How do I promote a life well-lived for neurodivergent children, adolescents, adults, and older adults? How can we create spaces where everyone, regardless of disability status, feels welcome? How can we ensure that mental and physical health needs are met?"

After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a B.S. in Brain and Cognitive Science, she worked as a research associate at UCLA, developing strong connections with neurodivergent autistic and ADHD children and their families. "I loved getting to know the families and their perspectives," she reflects. "Providing neurodivergent individuals with resources to support their identity is something that has sustained me and my research."

Since joining LMU in 2019, Sturm has discovered that her holistic perspective, which guides her research design and methods, aligns with the values of Jesuit education, emphasizing cura personalis, or care for the "whole person."

In 2024, Sturm published findings that evaluated a screening tool used by adults to self-assess autistic traits. Part of this study involved analysis of 800 participants who completed the RAADS-R, a widely used, open-access autism screener for adults. The results showed that individuals who self-identified as autistic reported autistic traits that closely matched those of adults who had received a medical diagnosis.

Published in the journal Autism, this study is particularly timely given the ongoing debate surrounding the validity of autistic self-identification. Many children continue to be overlooked during early autism screenings, prompting an increasing number of adults to self-identify. There is also evidence of racial and gender disparities in the identification of autism, and many evaluation processes can be prohibitively expensive and difficult to access. As a result, some individuals go for decades and even a lifetime with no diagnosis and limited support, resulting in significant and longstanding adverse impacts on quality of life. Sturm's ongoing research is finding that self-identification and medical diagnosis are both important factors that support the well-being of autistic women.

"An autism diagnosis is a gatekept diagnosis; it's expensive, difficult to access, and there aren't enough adequately trained medical and mental health providers," says Sturm. "People who have jobs and families are frequently told that they could not be on the spectrum because they appear typical according to societal norms. However, in reality, they may be putting in extra effort to seem 'normal,' which takes a significant mental toll on these individuals, as their experiences are invalidated, and their challenges are misunderstood. Tools that may give autistic adults greater confidence in advocating for their needs and pursuing a diagnosis are important and the first steps in receiving appropriate treatment and services."

The study's findings have attracted significant attention from the autistic community and have even gone viral on social media. Autistic content creators are using it to raise awareness of self-diagnostic tools like RAADS-R, promote acceptance of these tools and results, and build an inclusive and supportive community for neurodivergent individuals.

Sturm is dedicated to involving her students in the research process by providing them with hands-on experience, guidance, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to projects alongside her. In 2019, she launched the Sturm lab, which focuses on the experiences of neurodivergent women, and how women uniquely experience barriers across life contexts. To explore these questions, Sturm and her team of LMU undergraduate students conduct interviews and analyze large, often combined datasets (i.e. big data). Sturm typically has between four and eight undergraduate students working in her lab. They assist with various tasks, including coordinating studies, conducting literature reviews, coding qualitative data, administering experimental tasks, and mentoring new lab members.

"Undergraduate involvement is critical to my research. The amazing LMU undergraduates I have worked with, including autistic stakeholders, have helped shape our research questions and the way we ask them," said Sturm. "Recognizing and valuing autistic lived experiences is the way that we guide and prioritize research studies and programs."

Ava Nariman '25, a psychology major, is currently working with Sturm on a project focusing on autistic women's health and how access to health care uniquely impacts wellbeing. To prepare for the project, Nariman took a course with Tyler Harlan, an associate professor of urban and environmental studies, to learn how to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She is now utilizing this tool to map data and assess the accessibility of reproductive healthcare for autistic women, including factors such as the type of insurance they have, the doctors they see, and how these factors affect their quality of life. After graduation, Nariman plans to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) program at UCSD.

Angie Matar '25, a psychology major, has been working with Sturm since her sophomore year. During this time, she has gained valuable experience managing a complex research study developed by Sturm and Chéla Willey, assistant professor of psychological science at LMU. The study investigates the relationship between sensory processing, cognition, and mental health throughout the menstrual cycle. Angie's training with Sturm prepared her to develop and implement her own psychology honors thesis research, which explores the impact of loneliness on self-perception and wellbeing among college students.

Several of Sturm's research assistants have continued their careers in research. For instance, Sara Eberle '24, is currently working in the McPartland Lab at Yale on a two-year fellowship focused on the clinical neuroscience of autism. Additionally, past research assistants are pursuing diverse interests, including working in research centers at UCLA, pursuing graduate training in occupational therapy and clinical psychology, or working in industry for a venture capital fund. Many are engaged in health services or research, continuing to support the neurodivergent community.

"I would not be where I am today without the mentorship from Professor Sturm," said Eberle. "I came to LMU as a freshman, eager and excited to participate in autism research, and Professor Sturm guided me throughout my undergraduate experience at LMU as a student and a researcher. I am incredibly grateful to have had the privilege to learn from her."

Aligned with her whole-person approach to addressing mental and physical health in a way that connects both, Sturm is interested in exploring intervention research. She is currently discussing a potential project with Timothy Williamson, assistant professor of psychological science, to investigate the effectiveness of mindful self-compassion as an intervention for autistic adults.

"I believe in the power of building community-creating welcoming spaces where all are welcome. By recognizing the neurodivergent population as experts in their own lives and leveraging their lived experiences, we can shape research that is truly meaningful, impactful, and rooted in equity and justice. This can be within the LMU community, Los Angeles, or even nationally," says Sturm.