Humanities and Social Sciences Communications - Exploring similarities and differences in how researchers and young people understand key terms in youth mental-health research

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Although there are clear international standards for intervention science and reporting in healthcare, implementation and uptake have been limited within autism intervention research. To address this ...

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89 to 97 per cent of autistic adults aged 40+ years are undiagnosed in the UK, according to the largest review of its kind. The review indicated that middle-aged and older autistic adults are facing h...

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Background: Autistic adults frequently experience social stigma, which may be compounded by additional marginalized identities such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. Black autistic adults, in particular, may face unique challenges at the intersection of racial bias and autism stigma. However, the experiences of autistic people with intersecting marginalized identities remain underexplored in research, contributing to a limited understanding of stigma’s impact across diverse communities. Methods: We used qualitative methods to explore how intersecting identities shape autistic adults’ experiences of stigma and marginalization, with an emphasis on Black autistic adults. In total, 32 autistic adults (16 Black and 16 White) completed a semi-structured interview regarding their social experiences. Participants shared recent stories of peer exclusion, acceptance, discrimination, and support that they had experienced, as well as their feelings surrounding these events. We recorded and transcribed these interviews and used an inductive, or data-driven, approach to thematic analysis to identify salient themes in the data. Results: We generated three intersectional themes, which encompassed the unique impact of stigma on those with intersecting identities. Specifically, these themes included: (1) identity-based discrimination shaped by race, gender, and LGBTQ+ status; (2) challenges in obtaining and processing an autism diagnosis; and (3) difficulties navigating personal identity, particularly among Black autistic participants. While autistic adults broadly reported stigma experiences, Black participants often described layered forms of exclusion related to both their race and autistic traits. Across racial groups, women and LGBTQ+ participants also reported distinct forms of marginalization and erasure. Conclusion: These findings highlight how autism stigma intersects with other marginalized identities to shape social experiences. Black autistic adults, along with autistic women and LGBTQ+ autistic people, may encounter compounded barriers to acceptance, identity development, and belonging. These results underscore the need for more inclusive research and supports that attend to the diversity of autistic experiences.

🧵 Hilo: Reforma de las leyes de Dependencia y Discapacidad 1️⃣ El Gobierno ha enviado al Congreso la reforma de las leyes de Dependencia y Discapacidad. Todavía debe aprobarse antes de entrar en vigor. https://t.co/8gDbnG5xg9

El psicopedagogo e investigador en autismo, Miguel Lois (@mlmlois), impartirá un taller en el #ForoEducaciónVigo centrado en la realidad del alumnado autista en el aula ordinaria: «La inclusión real comienza con sensibilidad y formación» https://t.co/9BhlZWoeQ3

The continuing policy commitment to Inclusive Education internationally requires the prioritisation of the creation of inclusive schools in practice. Research w...

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Family social class background significantly influences parents’ relationships with schools, yet the intersection of class with disability is often overlooked. ...

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Emerging evidence supports the use of strengths-based approaches for autistic students, yet limited research has explored these approaches from the perspectives of autistic adolescents in mainstrea...