What I’ve Learned About Autism Since Grad School: Reflections for Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month, when we can shift the discussion from awareness to acceptance, from knowledge to inclusion and respect for autistic individuals. As I began learning about psychology, my understanding of autism has grown in ways I never could have imagined. Since graduating, I have changed my approach to how I conceptualize, diagnose, and treat autistic individuals.

Autism Looks Different for So Many, Especially Women: When I initially started learning about autism, the cases and presentations taught were primarily based on studies conducted on white young boys. It wasn't until later that I realized how much this narrow context has resulted in missed and delayed diagnoses—especially among women and minorities. Autistic women often mask their traits more than their male peers, learning to camouflage their differences in ways that make their struggles less visible. They might thrive academically—and giftedness can often delay or obscure an autism diagnosis—be deeply attuned to the emotions of others, or develop highly effective coping mechanisms that make their autism less apparent to those who rely on outdated or narrow diagnostic criteria.

Awareness of these nuances has helped to emphasize the importance of looking beyond stereotypes and valuing the diverse presentations of autism by gender, race, and culture.

Social Skills Groups Are Not Always (or At All) the Best Recommendation: In training, I was often taught that social skills groups were often the default recommendation for autistic individuals who struggled with social interactions. However, this is based on the underlying assumption that autistic people needed to be “fixed” or trained to behave in neurotypical ways. However, I’ve since learned that a more affirming approach is to focus on accommodating the environment to the person rather than trying to change who they are.

Instead of trying to fit autistic individuals into social norms that may not be their natural manner of being, we should instead be asking: How can we create spaces that honor their ways of communicating, their sensory requirements, and boundaries? How can we help others learn to appreciate and respect their unique ways of engaging with the world? The goal should not be assimilation but true inclusion, where autistic individuals are accepted as they are.

The Intersection of Black Identity and Autism: There is a huge racial disproportion in how Black autistic children are diagnosed and treated. Black children are diagnosed later than white children—if they are diagnosed at all. They often are misdiagnosed with behavioral disorders like Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) instead of being diagnosed as autistic, leading to a lack of providing them with proper support and more reliance on discipline in school settings.

Black autistic individuals also have to deal with the additional obstacle of existing in a society that already views them through a racialized framework. In other words, autistic behaviors like stimming, difficulty with eye contact, or issues with social norms are more likely to be criminalized or pathologized rather than being understood. Effort should be taken to foster culturally sensitive evaluation, enhanced training among educators and doctors, and further embracing of neurodiversity in the Black community itself.

Moving Toward True Acceptance

Autism Acceptance Month is the time to hear, learn, and act toward creating a world where autistic people—of any gender and every race—are welcomed as they exist. True acceptance involves recognizing diversity in autism, rejecting oppressive strategies that prioritize conformity over authenticity, and advocating systems that lift up and empower, not cut out.

I thank all that I have learned to date, knowing there is still so much to be learned. This month, let us keep working towards a world where autistic people are not just included but joyfully accepted.