Since the rising advocacy for autism awareness, the figures at the forefront of the Autism Movement have been white boys. In looking at racial and ethnic disparities amongst women and girls with autism, it’s imperative to note the intersectionality between race, disability and gender and how these converging identities provide the framework for this specific demographic group to be perceived and represented within society. In a 2018 study, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, determined that approximately “1 in 59 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)”, and more specifically, “1 in 151 girls [is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder]” (Autism Speaks, Autism Facts and Figures). However, according to MedicalNewsToday, diagnosing girls with autism is not simple, regardless of race or ethnicity, because “Doctors can overlook or misdiagnose autism in girls because it is more common in boys. Older girls with milder forms of autism may hide their symptoms or work harder to “fit in” with their peers”. Furthermore, while most research focuses on the disparities that white women and men of color experience as individuals with autism, none delve into the social reality that women of color with autism face through the lens of intersectionality because they occupy both spaces of female and “minority” identity.
According to the CDC’s “Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder”, and my college professors lecture on “Racial and Ethnic Disparities for People with Autism”, “Whites are 30% more likely to receive an autism diagnosis than blacks…[and] Whites are 50% more likely to be diagnosed with autism than Hispanics” (CDC, Autism Spectrum Disorder). Not only are Blacks and Hispanics diagnosed at a later age, which results in the delay or absolute halt of resources and services, but women and girls with autism are continuously overlooked. In August of 2016, the National Autistic Society insisted that medical professionals improve the way they diagnose women and girls with autism spectrum disorder and ultimately, work towards narrowing the gap between women of color with autism and their male and white female counterparts. However, when medical professionals are challenged with diagnosing women of color with autism, they often rely on racial and gender related stereotypes to explain away their behavior. In the article “Gender stereotypes have made us horrible at recognizing autism in women and girls”, Matthew Rozsa highlights the personal accounts that women of color have had with racial and gender stigmas as an autistic individual. For example, one woman named Morenike Giwa Onaiwu explains how medical professionals opted for stereotypes as an explanation for her behavior, and ultimately justification for their misdiagnosis. She says “Social awkwardness? Of course not; apparently I’m just rude—like all the stereotypes of ‘sassy’ black women rolling their heads and necks in a circle while firing off some retort… Lack of eye contact? Apparently I’m a ‘shy girl’ or ‘playing hard to get’ or ‘shifty.’ Or maybe I’m just being respectful and docile because I’m African and direct eye contact might be a faux pas. Sensory overload, or maybe a meltdown? Nope, more like aggression or being a drama queen. Anything but what it really is—an Autistic person being Autistic who happens to be black and happens to be a woman” (Rozsa, 1). Onaiwu’s experience showcases the preconceived notions that affect women of color upon diagnosis. As a Black woman, Onaiwu’s behavior and social capacity isn’t viewed as traditional “autistic” behavior and as result, she is left unsupported and unethically diagnosed. In addition, Sharon daVanport, the president of Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network, or AWN, explains the ways in which medical professionals rely on insufficient “gender road maps” to navigate diagnosing autism. For example, if an eight-year old boy has a niche interest that keeps him inside all day, this may cause his parents to worry and assume something is wrong, but if a young girl spends hours researching her niche interests, she’s considered quiet, polite and lady-like (Rozsa, 1). These conversational viewpoints are based on patriarchal expectations of man and woman. This ignorance and old dated approach not only affects young girls with autism, but also those women who believe in gender-fluidity or represent a different path to womanhood. The stereotypes that box in these women upon diagnosis leave no room for growth or protest and result in women of color being left unnoticed by their autistic community. Although heavily under researched and overlooked, within the context of women of color, the unfriendliness and outright brutality that autistic individuals of color face in regards to police force is astounding. According to the New York Times article, “The Police Need to Understand Autism”, Steve Silberman exhibits terrifying encounters that individuals with autism have with police officers. For a lot of individuals with autism, a run in with a police officer can be traumatizing and even, life threatening. While anyone in the autistic community can be a victim of police brutality, no matter their gender, race or sexual orientation, Black and Hispanic individuals with autism are at an exponentially greater risk. No matter their age, if a Black or Hispanic individual with autism is perceived to be “powerfully built” or a “threat to themselves or others'', an officer is immediately put on edge (Silberman, 1). In addition, while “autistic people make up a large and extremely diverse minority population, police officers [still have not learned] how to recognize people on the spectrum and treat them with respect” (Silberman, 1). Public safety for individuals with autism is immensely important, especially in the context of community inclusion and relationship building with those regarded as “community helpers”, such as law enforcement. Again, although one’s race and gender, as an individual with autism, does not exclude them from discrimination and emotionally disturbing encounters with the police, how race and gender intersect determines how badly and how often they face criminalization. For example, Lydia X. Z. Brown notes the intersections between the autistic and trans experience, as a person who identifies as “identify as genderqueer or non-binary” individual with autism, in their article “Gendervague: At the Intersection of Autistic and Trans Experiences”. In their article, Brown discusses their personal journey through self-exploration and ultimately learning to define themselves for themselves, without feeding into the stereotypes and boundaries associated with gender and being autistic. Considering the exponential rate in which neuro-typical transgender individuals already face this disheartening reality, those with autism are especially vulnerable (Brown, 1). Unfortunately, women with autism who identify differently from their cis-gender male and white female counterparts face a higher risk of criminalization, police violence, and incarceration.
Even though the autism spectrum disorder succeeds socioeconomic class, gender, and race and ethnicity, the challenges that women of color face far exceed their male and white female counterparts. Due to their intersectional identities, women and girls of color are continuously misdiagnosed by medical professionals, excluded from the autistic community and social gatherings and harshly criminalized for their outward expression and dejection of heterosexual female norms. However, regardless if you’re someone with a disability or able-bodied, there is always a need for individuals who are willing to raise their voices and their fists in response to racial and gender based discrimination, or any form of discrimination towards people with disabilities for that matter. If you’re a person of color, regardless of disability, this may not be new material for you, but for those who are not people of color nor have a disability, please do not be intimidated. Instead, continue to learn about antiracism, intersectionality, disability justice etc. and in doing so, as you learn and promote genuine self-growth, hopefully you will create and fight for accessible and inclusive spaces for marginalized people.