Assistant Professor at UMD | autism, stigma, intersectionality, and Black neurodivergent experiences | Wellesley College Alumna | #ADHD cat mom
Desi Jones
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We found that Black autistic adults were often rated more favorably than White autistic adults. This was unexpected, and to be clear, it doesn’t mean Black autistic people face less stigma. My qualitative work shows that they experience significant bias. So what could explain this finding?
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This finding may reflect masking higher masking in Black autistic people. In my previous study, Black autistic men reported that they frequently masked for their own safety. It's also possible that there are differences in how autistic traits are perceived across identities.
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In line with this idea, we also found that the impact of autistic traits on ratings varied by race. For Black autistic adults, having more self-reported autistic traits was linked to more positive impressions. This same pattern did not hold for White autistic adults.
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In our study, non-autistic adults watched brief videos of Black and White autistic adults and rated their first impressions of each person. We looked at traits like likability and trustworthiness, as well as the rater's interest in talking to or hanging out with the person.
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Overall, we found that race, gender, and autistic traits can interact in complex ways. To understand the experiences and needs of Black autistic people, we must take an intersectional approach that accounts for for these nuanced patterns.
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So excited to share my ✨️new paper✨️ with @noahsasson.bsky.social on how race and gender shape first impressions of autistic adults. You can read it here: journals.sagepub.com...
If you don’t have access, feel free to message me for a copy or request it on Researchgate!
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Dozens of rigorous studies with millions of children show vaccines don’t cause autism, as health organizations around the world and the leading autism organizations recognize. RFK Jr. and Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill are a danger to science and public health.
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/kenn...
"We know that autistic people have sensory differences, but we know nothing about how these are influenced by ageing. Why not? Autistics often live with high stress & anxiety—which can intensify some mental & physical health conditions." @cosmichael.bsky.social:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Non-autistic adults often harbor negative attitudes about autism and show a reluctance to interact with autistic people. For autistic people with multiple marginalized identities, the compounding e...
So cool: Autism researcher @desirjones.bsky.social talks with the original Steve from Blue's Clues about autism and neurodivergence! Available on YouTube or as a podcast.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLKV...
#autism #neurodiversity #BluesClues
Desi Jones
Desi Jones
Desi Jones
Desi Jones
Desi Jones
Desi Jones
YouTube video by Alive with Steve Burnswww.youtube.com
Why it's important to push back against the dangerous #ProfoundAutism label; + CN: Suicide:
"Stereotypes created by 'Profound Autism' risk denying suitable support from many Autistic persons, which will predictably result in more Autistic suicides."
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/09/grav... #autism
