Intersectional effects of race and gender on first impressions of Black and White autistic adults

Abstract

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 effects of stigma based on race and disability may worsen peer attitudes. This study investigated first impressions of Black and White autistic adults made by non-autistic observers. Autistic adults (N = 29) stratified by race (15 Black, 14 White) completed a videotaped semi-structured conversation, and non-autistic raters provided their first impressions of each participant. Black autistic people were rated as more likable and trustworthy, and raters endorsed a greater interest in interacting with them, compared to White autistic people. Evidence of intersectional effects of race, gender, and autism was also observed. White autistic men, but not Black autistic men, were evaluated less favorably than non-male autistic participants, with Black autistic men being evaluated more favorably on some items. These results suggest that the intersection of race and autism may, in some cases, counter stereotypes about Blackness and autism, and that holding multiple marginalized identities can modify the characteristics of peer stigma toward autistic adults. Lay abstract Many non-autistic adults have negative feelings about autism and may not want to interact with autistic people. For people who face more than one kind of discrimination, like being part of a racial minority and being disabled, a combination of racism and ableism might make others’ opinions even more negative. This study looked at how people’s race, gender, and how others judge them are connected when people view videos of Black and White autistic adults. In the first part of the study, 29 autistic adults (15 Black, 14 White) had a conversation with the main researcher, which was recorded on video. In the second part, people who were not autistic watched these videos and shared their thoughts about each person. The results showed that Black autistic people were seen as more likable and trustworthy, and the people watching the videos were more interested in getting to know them compared to White autistic people. The study also found that race, gender, and autism together influenced how people were judged. Black autistic men were often judged similarly to, or better than, non-male participants, while White autistic men were judged less positively than non-male participants. This means that having more than one identity that is discriminated against can change the ways that people view autistic adults, such as allowing Black autistic men to avoid common stereotypes.