The Big Picture: Stigma is not merely a single unpleasant encounter or a specific act of prejudice; it is a complex, multilevel phenomenon that operates through systemic social structures and individual psychology. Internalized stigma often forces autistic individuals into a “double bind” regarding masking and disclosure. Unhelpful societal beliefs about autism can cause low self-esteem, self-doubt, and trauma. We must stop prioritizing “normative behaviors” and start prioritizing “stigma resistance.”
Study Type: Mixed methods online survey
Participants: 144 autistic adults in the UK (86% autistic adults, 26% parents/caregivers)
Key Findings:
- The Societal Mirror: Participants of the study were clear that the primary responsibility to change lies with non-autistic people and their attitudes, not with autistic individuals trying to survive them.
- The Inner Echo: The study linked internalized shame to devastating mental health outcomes, including lower self-esteem, reduced self-efficacy, and increased psychological distress.
- Operational Delivery Model: To assist with internalizing stigma, this study showed that a group approach provides valuable peer connection, but dissociation from the group makes group formats inaccessible to those who need the program most, so flexible online groups with detailed information provided in advance are preferable.
Access Status: Open Access / Free
Direct Link: Development of stigma-related support for autistic adults: Insights from the autism community
Adult Autism Insights 