"People will Never See Me How I want To Be Seen. Black, Autistic, and a Woman." A Qualit Analysis of the Struggles of Black Autistic Women.
Project Description:
Despite the increasing prevalence of autism, Black Autistic Women (B.A.W.) are consistently underrepresented in autism-related research. Plausible explanations may be the frequency of precious misdiagnoses, later diagnoses, and exclusion of B.A.W. from autism related clinical, educational, and community services. Consequently, there is limited research to help understand the lived experiences of B.A.W. To address thie gap, it is paramount that members of this overlooked and minoritized group are offered due to reverence and opportunities to amplify their collective voice in research. Therefore, this research project aimed to amplify lived experiences of B.A.W.
Four significant themes emerged regarding the experiences and challenged of being a B.A.W.: a) Invisibility, referring to instances of feeling neglected and unseen in society, (b) Stigmatization, facing negative stereotypes and navigating daily life, (c) Dehumanization, acts that deprive fundamental human rights, and (d) Racial and gender biases describing the attitudes, behaviors, and morals of care providers resulting in poor quality of care, late diagnosis, and general misunderstandings. These findings suggest that B.A.W. desire acceptance and inclusion within society without limitations regarding their disability status. Furthermore, these findings, based on a first-hand reported experiences may increase understanding of how the intersection of various socio-ecological influences shapes their experiences. By highlighting patterns in B.A.W. actual experiences and the detrimental effects of stereotypes on their quality of life, this research has potential to transform how society views B.A.W.
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Continuing Education/Community Training, Other Direct/Model Services
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Regional
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
