Exploring Racial Discrimination, Disability Discrimination, and Perception of the Future Among Black-Identifying Emerging Adults with and without Autism in the United States: A Mixed-Methods Descriptive Study

AbstractDiscrimination experienced by Black emerging adults with autism is rarely studied nor have their experiences been juxtaposed to Black emerging adults without autism. A mixed methods descriptive approach was used to describe responses to open-ended questions collected as part of a larger study of discrimination experienced by Black emerging adults with autism (n  = 14) and Black emerging adults without autism (n = 20). Questions focused around racial discrimination, disability discrimination, and perception of the future. Qualitative and quantitative content analysis were applied. Qualitatively- a manifest approach was used, and quantitatively- fr equency counts and ratios were identified within themes and subthemes. Four main themes and twelve subthemes were identified. Racial discrimination had two themes: 1)Impact on mental health, and 2) Societal threats, with five subthemes, each reported at higher rates by people without autism (Theme 1  = 5:7, Theme 2 = 3:11). Disability discrimination was only reported on by those with autism, and had one main theme of neurodiverse/autism bias, and three subthemes. Perception of the future contained the theme ofemerging life hopes, with four subthemes. Subthemes relating to work/career/family and future unknown were reported more highly by those without autism than with autism (1:8 and 4:7 respectively), while subthemes describing diverse or unique priorities for fulfillment and mental wellness were reported o...
Source: Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma - Category: Child Development Source Type: research