Unmasking Bias: Autistic Perspectives in Mental Health Training

Authors

Abstract

Background: Due to a combination of thin-slice judgments, ableism, bias, and a focus on allistic (non-autistic) dispositional standards, autistic people may experience admission issues and retention problems in mental health professional fields at higher rates than allistic people. Method: To better understand their training and gatekeeping experiences, we interviewed 10 autistic mental health professionals and trainees from a variety of mental health professional programs (e.g., counseling psychology, clinical psychology, counseling, and social work). Utilizing reflexive thematic analysis, we generated three themes across our 11 semi-structured interview questions. Results: Our generated themes included ableism (systemic and interpersonal), personal toll (cognitive load and emotional toll), and protective factors (internal and external). Our understanding of our interrelated themes is informed by both double empathy theory and the minority stress model. Participants in our study also regularly discussed a need for better autistic mentorship. Discussion: We discuss recommendations for training program advocacy and neurodiversity-affirming practices. Based on our participant answers to strength-based and support-oriented questions, we offer suggestions for autistic mental health graduate trainees.

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