Understanding Discrimination and the Autistic Experience

Many autistic people face discrimination across everyday settings—like school, work, healthcare, and the media. This often stems from misunderstanding or lack of acceptance, not from autism itself. Traits like stimming or avoiding eye contact might be judged unfairly, even though they’re completely natural for autistic individuals.

To avoid stigma, many autistic people feel pressured to "mask" or hide their true selves. While this can help them fit in, it often leads to burnout, mental health challenges, and a sense of disconnection from their identity.

Discrimination isn’t always obvious—it can be someone not making space for access needs, being left out socially, or being judged in a job interview. Over time, these experiences can cause trauma and impact wellbeing.

We need change across all areas of society—from more inclusive schools and workplaces to better-trained healthcare professionals. Media plays a big role too, and how autism is represented can shape public attitudes.

What Can Help?

• Acceptance over fixing: Embracing neurodivergence instead of trying to “normalise” it.

• Safer spaces: Creating environments where people can be themselves without fear.

• Support, not shame: Recognizing the impact of masking, and supporting people to drop the mask when it’s safe to do so.

• Inclusive systems: Adapting education, work, and healthcare to meet diverse needs.

• Listening to autistic voices: Especially when shaping policies, programs, and media.

  
  

Autistic people don’t need to change who they are—they need a world that accepts and supports them as they are.