Break the Stigma: Autism

While awareness of neurodiversity and specific forms of neurodivergence, such as autism, has increased over the last few years, autism stigma and prejudice against autistic people remains a critical issue that warrants further attention and investigation. The experience of stigma and prejudice, such as discriminatory actions and attitudes towards autistic individuals on both a personal and public level, can have many negative impacts across one’s lifetime. These experiences can lead people on the autism spectrum and their families to avoid seeking help, which can delay diagnosis and access to supportive services of not only autism itself but also co-occurring physical and psychological health needs. Prejudiced beliefs against autistic people may lead to many forms of discrimination, including but not limited to medical, education, and employment discrimination. These attitudes can be built into society, at a systemic level, and influence policies that govern access to supports and our communities. Additionally, autism stigma and prejudice against autistic people, such as stereotypical portrayals of autistic people in media and the language we use to describe autistic people, can be invalidating to a person’s autistic identity and to autistic culture.

Further, the impacts of stigma and prejudice can be internalized by autistic individuals, which may not only have poor effects on their wellbeing but also increase the want and/or need to “mask” or “camouflage” to pass as non-autistic. Masking or camouflaging can reduce a person’s sense of belonging, self-esteem, sense of self-worth, and close relationships – all of which are associated with poor outcomes. It can also lead to avoidance of opportunities, such as connection with other autistic individuals, that could increase quality of life.

This Research Topic aims to showcase evidence on why the stigma surrounding autism and the prejudice against autistic people are so detrimental. It hopes to provide insights into research and interventions on how stigma and prejudice can be tackled as well as awareness, understanding, and acceptance raised, in the hope that the research presented will translate to best practice applications in clinical, public health, policy, and community settings.

We invite researchers to submit a range of articles, including but not limited to original research articles, reviews, meta-analyses, opinions, perspectives, and case reports to provide new evidence on the following:

- Harmful impacts of stigma and prejudice on autistic people
- Interventions on reducing stigma surrounding and prejudice against autistic people
- Health promotion in autism (i.e., approaches that increase the mental and physical well-being of autistic people)
- Interventions targeted at increasing understanding of autism and neurodiversity as well as increasing acceptance and advocacy of – as well as allyship with - autistic people
- Examining intersectionality in autism stigma and/or prejudice towards autistic people of diverse backgrounds