Reclaiming the Narrative: What It Means to Be Black and Autistic
Honoring Black History Month, NdC Associate Warda Farah explores the intersection of Black and Autistic identity, and reflects on how the dual marginalisation faced by Black Autistic individuals is further compounded for women and girls. Warda is the creator and host of NdC’s monthly, free-to-attend Black Autistic Meetup sessions.
As we honour Black History Month, it is essential to recognise and amplify the voices and experiences of Black autistic individuals, especially those who have been historically marginalised and silenced. One powerful statement often echoes through this intersectional experience:
A few years ago I wrote a blog about my experiences and the below quote resonated with many Black Autistic girls.
"Maybe Autism in Black girls manifests how it manifests in white girls but you do not see us. Actually, maybe you can see us, you just choose to discount our experience, ignore our needs, invalidate our pain, erase all existence of our trauma because you do not see Black girls as human.”
This reflection brings into sharp focus a critical issue that has been systematically neglected: the erasure of Black autistic voices and the failure to recognise the unique experiences of Black girls and women navigating a world shaped by both ableism and anti-Blackness. The intersection of these identities creates a complex and often invisible struggle, where racial stereotypes and misconceptions about autism converge to deny Black individuals the understanding, care, and respect they deserve.
For Black individuals, the journey of autism diagnosis and recognition is fraught with barriers rooted in systemic racism. Research shows that Black children are significantly less likely to be diagnosed with autism than their white counterparts, often delayed or misdiagnosed with behavioural disorders like Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) .
This disparity speaks to a profound issue: society’s inability to see Black children, particularly girls, as complex individuals deserving of the same nuanced understanding that is more readily afforded to white children.
Autism, in mainstream discourse, has been framed through a predominantly white, male lens. This narrow framework fails to account for how neurodivergence may manifest differently across races and genders. For Black autistic girls, this leads to further marginalisation. Society's failure to "see" their autism is not a failure of their behaviour or ability to express their needs, but a reflection of deep-rooted biases that cast Black girls as more resilient, less in need of care, or more capable of handling adversity without support. These stereotypes feed into the damaging myth of the "strong Black woman" and reinforce the dehumanisation of Black girls, who are often perceived as older and more mature than they are—thus less worthy of empathy and assistance.
The consequences of this misrecognition are profound. Black autistic girls and women are forced to exist in a world that not only misunderstands their neurodivergence but also devalues their humanity. This devaluation is not abstract; it is lived through instituational racism, being overlooked for support services, and enduring higher rates of disciplinary actions in schools. The trauma of being unseen and unheard leads to profound mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.
Moreover, this erasure compounds the trauma that many Black autistic individuals already face in navigating a world shaped by systemic racism. When Black girls and women speak out about their experiences, they are frequently met with scepticism or outright dismissal. Their pain is invalidated because they do not fit into the "expected" mould of what autism looks like. This perpetuates a cycle of invisibility and exclusion, leaving many Black autistic individuals without the necessary resources or understanding to navigate a world that consistently fails to acknowledge their full humanity.
Reclaiming the narrative of what it means to be Black and autistic is not just about telling our own stories, but about challenging and dismantling the systemic structures that perpetuate our erasure. It begins by recognising that Blackness and autism are not incompatible or contradictory identities. The diversity within the Black autistic community is vast, and we must reject any attempts to flatten or simplify these experiences.
This reclamation also requires a radical rethinking of how autism is diagnosed, discussed, and supported. Health professionals, educators, and the broader public must be made aware of the biases that affect how Black autistic individuals are perceived and treated. We must move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to autism and embrace a model that is intersectional, culturally responsive, and attuned to the unique challenges that Black autistic individuals face.
Creating spaces that centre Black autistic voices is essential. Which is why I am proud of the online support space we have created, Black Autistic Meetup. Many members say that the group has been transformative in providing a space of belonging, understanding, and solidarity.
These spaces offer an opportunity for Black autistic individuals to share their stories, be seen, and build community free from the gaze of a world that often discounts them. Through collective empowerment, we are reclaiming our narratives and reshaping the conversation around autism and Blackness.
As we move forward, there is hope for change. The growing recognition of the intersectionality of race and neurodivergence signals a shift in how we think about autism and identity. By centring the experiences of Black autistic individuals, we can begin to dismantle the racism and ableism that permeates every level of society—from diagnosis and healthcare to education and social support.
This Black History Month, let us commit to not only celebrating the achievements of Black individuals but also to challenging the structures that have historically oppressed and silenced us. Let us work towards a future where Black autistic girls and women are seen, heard, and valued for their full humanity—where their pain is acknowledged, their trauma is validated, and their stories are told. It is only through this reclamation of narrative that we can move towards a more just and inclusive society.
Interested in joining our next Black Autistic Meetup?
Our next session is Monday 4th November.
You can book your place using the form below, or on the Black Autistic Meetup page of this website.
