Dr. Shannan Palma

Dr. Shannan Palma

AuDHD Scholar • Social Entrepreneur • Disability Justice Advocate

About Me

I hold a PhD in Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies with a certificate in Film and Media Studies from Emory University. My academic research explores gender, sexuality, myth, and neurodivergence through cultural narratives.

In 2022, I was diagnosed autistic and ADHD as an adult—a discovery that transformed my personal experience into disability justice work. Since then, I’ve been leading community-centered research on autistic wellbeing, suicide prevention, and evidence-based supports that enable neurodivergent adults to thrive. I’m building assistive technology and research infrastructure specifically designed for autistic and ADHD adults.

With Wanda Swan, I’m also the co-creator of “Once Upon a Patriarchy,” a two-season podcast that examined fairy tales through feminist and social justice lenses. My household encompasses 10 beings, including 4 cats, 2 dogs, 1 uromastyx, and 2 human children, in addition to myself. We do not currently include insects and micro-organisms in the household census, despite heated internal debate.

Organizations & Ventures

Independence Through Interdependence (ITI)
Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director | 2022–Present
Autistic-led 501(c)(3) providing research, advocacy, and direct services for autistic/ADHD adults. Building sustainable funding ecosystems and community-driven supports.
ITI Lab
Co-Founder & CEO | 2023–Present
Social enterprise developing evidence-based assistive apps including Decide, an AI-powered decision support tool that reduces decision fatigue for neurodivergent minds.

Recent News & Publications

2025

Publication
“But Why? The Social Consequences of Boundaries as an AuDHD Person” in Of Many Minds (Johns Hopkins University Press)
Grant Award
Co-PI, PCORI Stakeholder Convening Award ($124K)

2024

Publication
Co-editor, Higher Ed Careers Beyond the Professoriate (Purdue University Press)
Grant Award
PI @ITI Lab, Ohio DODD Transformative Technology Solutions Grant ($390K)

2023

Award
First Prize (team), Give Back Hack Columbus for “Autism Armory: Weapons for Life”

Podcast & Media

Guest appearances: ADHD & Women, ADHD ReWired, Autism Stories, SVIC Podcast, UnSilence Her
“Once Upon a Patriarchy” (co-host with Wanda Swan) 2018-2019

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