Intersectionality on the Horizon: Exploring Autism in Adulthood from a Unique Vantage Point

Identity Development

Cohen et al. ⁵ analyzed school messages that autistic individuals receive and how individuals engage with these external messages to develop their identities. Autistic students received stigmatizing messages from teachers and peers regarding their autism that varied in relation to their other identities. Autism was stigmatized largely by teachers and peers, to which participants responded by reclaiming their autistic identities.

Abubakare ⁶ discusses the way her identities have been perceived by others in her family, community, and society in general. The intersection of religion, disability, gender, race, and culture largely affected Abubakare's diagnostic and social experiences. This case example serves as a reminder to all others that we need to capture multiple intersections of identity when exploring autistic experiences.

Identity and Employment

A central tenet of intersectionality theory is inclusivity. However, employment research that incorporates disability work has not been inclusive of varying races or ethnicities of participants. ⁷ To better understand the complexity of outcomes that autistic adults attain, it is necessary to be inclusive of both disability and race/ethnicity in employment research.

Digard et al. ⁸ aimed to understand the intersection of bilingualism and autism. Through qualitative analysis Digard et al. explored the positive and challenging experiences of autistic bi- and multilingual adults in the United Kingdom. Positive aspects of bilingualism found for autistic adults was the acceleration in social communication, connection to identity, and connection to employment opportunities and other people. Despite the potential challenges of bilingualism, Digard et al. emphasized an optimistic outlook on the intersection of bilingualism and autism.

Doyle et al. ⁹ disentangled the intersection of autism with other marginalizing identities in the context of work. The researchers aimed to understand employment status, autism-specific hiring, and employment experiences among a diverse range of participants. The results indicated lower rates of employment participation by race and geographic location. Perceptions of inclusion and belonging at work were lower among self-identified women and nonbinary people. The perception of being provided with accommodations was closely associated with inclusion and belonging. In alignment with intersectionality theory, Doyle et al. emphasize asking autistics what workplace accommodations they need over prescribing the same set of accommodations for each autistic person.

Identity and Stigma

Intersectionality theory emphasizes that social identities are reciprocally important. ¹⁰ Experience with others, both positive and negative, is shaped through the lens of how society perceives the intersection of identities. ¹¹ The unique identity development by autistics from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds necessitates the use of a theory that allows for flexibility and nuance. Two articles bring attention to the influence of perceived identity on treatment received by others.

Davis et al. ¹² aimed to understand the risk factors of everyday discrimination, perceived stress and potential protective factors of psychological empowerment, and Black identity among African American/Black (AA/B) young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Everyday discrimination was elevated for nonautistic AA/B participants compared with Autistic AA/B participants. Perceived stress was not different between the two groups. The intersection of race and autism was prominent as autistic AA/B participants indicated that race and being autistic were prime sources of discrimination. Davis et al. stressed using trauma-informed practices with AA/B autistics individuals to mitigate the negativity they may experience from society viewing them singularly through a racialized lens.

Ames et al. ¹³ examined the intersection of autism and race/ethnicity in association with psychiatric and medical diagnoses. Psychiatric and medical diagnostic patterns varied within the sample of racial and ethnically diverse autistic adults insured by Kaiser Permanente in California. Given these findings Ames et al. suggest that health vulnerabilities may be intensified at the intersection of autism and race/ethnicity. These findings resonate with previous research on health disparities, including the Modified Socio-cultural Framework of Health Service Disparities. ¹⁴

Next Steps in Research

There have been many calls for autism researchers to be more inclusive and broaden the theoretical perspectives through which autism is diagnosed and analyzed. In the roundtable discussion featured in this special issue the experts emphasize the critical importance of publishing research on intersectionality and autism, stress the need for inclusive research embodying intersectionality theory in autism research, and caution against action without clear direction when applying intersectionality theory to autism. Several articles in this special issue provide direct responses to these needs and guidance for researchers on the use of intersectionality theory and Disability and Critical race theory (DisCrit).

In their narrative review, Mallipeddi and VanDaalen emphasize intersectional frameworks to explore autism in both academic and nonacademic contexts. ¹⁵ They identify key themes pertaining to the explicit, implicit, and descriptive approaches to intersectionality, racial and gender biases within critical autism studies, and the cross-disciplinary nature of intersectionality and critical autism studies. They suggest utilizing intersectionality as an analytical lens for previously researched topics, the development of research questions, methodological approaches, and writing of results.

A personal narrative is provided as Burks-Abbot takes the reader through his intersectional identity development as a Black male autistic adult. ¹⁶ Power imbalances are highlighted in Burks-Abbot's writing whereby he discusses his White counterparts beginning to unravel a central component of intersectionality. The central component is the observation of power imbalances in the wake of racial injustice evidenced by George Floyd's murder. Burks-Abbot parallels the racial reckoning brought on by George Floyd's murder with an opportunity for society to observe the nuance of the autism spectrum. Burks-Abbot suggests that empathy can be developed for autistics if nonautistics and researchers take into account the challenge of double-consciousness that all people, regardless of diagnosis, face. Furthermore, Burks-Abbot's narrative illustrates the utility of intersectionality theory as a model of identity development. ¹⁷

Malone et al. integrates intersectionality with Dis/ability Studies and Critical Race theory (DisCrit) to analyze the experiences of Black autistic adults. ¹⁸ They identify underlying reasons for the lack of research on Black autistic adults and outline suggestions for inclusive research with this population. Malone et al. steadfastly recommend doing away with the way things have been done in autism research and moving directly toward racial and ethnic inclusion that is both thoughtful as well as intentional.

Conclusion

Intersectionality theory is a vantage point from which researchers and practitioners can view the varying social identities of autistic adults. Through the lens of intersectionality theory, power imbalances, social identities, discrimination, bias, and a host of oppressive processes can be explained. This special issue delineates findings on intersectionality and health, employment, and social connections, essentials in the lives of autistic adults. Both the positive and negative impact of intersectionality are embodied in the articles. Guidance, precautions, and action items are featured throughout the issue for researchers and practitioners aiming to apply intersectionality theory to autism research