Is disclosing an autism spectrum disorder in school associated with reduced stigmatization?

White, R., Barreto, M., Harrington, J., Kapp, S. K., Hayes, J., & Russell, G. (2019). Is disclosing an autism spectrum disorder in school associated with reduced stigmatization? Autism, 24(3), 744-754. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361319887625

Publication date: 27 Nov 2019 Added to AutiHub: 6 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
6
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 6 (16.7%)

Abstract

Evidence suggests disclosing an autism diagnosis is associated with reduced stigmatization for autistic adults. However, it is unknown whether this is true for autistic adolescents. We used a vignette-and-questionnaire design to study stigmatizing attitudes with adolescents (aged 11–12 and 14–16 years, total N = 250) in a UK school. We investigated the effect of disclosing that a fictional adolescent had an autism diagnosis on stigmatizing attitudes of peers by testing the effect of disclosure of diagnosis on the social and emotional distance pupils wanted to maintain from the autistic adolescent. We also tested the effect of disclosure on peers’ assessment of the adolescent’s responsibility for their own behaviour. We checked to see if the effects were moderated by gender and age-group. Disclosing autism did not affect the social and emotional distance peers wanted to maintain from the autistic adolescent, but was associated with significant reduction in personal responsibility attributed to the adolescent’s behaviour. Boys attributed more personal responsibility to the autistic adolescent than girls, but this gender effect was reduced when autism was disclosed. These findings suggest that disclosing autism to other pupils may be of limited use in reducing stigmatization by peers in UK schools.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Bibliography inclusion overview

These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:30.

Cited references
64
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
5 / 64 (7.8%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
5 / 163 (3.1%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 5 / 37 (13.5%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 3 / 144 (2.1%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
37 / 163 (22.7%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 22 / 144 (15.3%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
32 / 37 (86.5%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 32 / 163 (19.6%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 19 / 22 (86.4%).
  1. Karen F. Swaim , Sam B. Morgan (2001). Children's Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions Toward a Peer with Autistic Behaviors: Does a Brief Educational Intervention Have an Effect? Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31(2), 195-205. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  2. González Moreno, Andrés Santiago (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . American Psychiatric Association.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  3. Christian S. Crandall (1991). Multiple stigma and AIDS: Illness stigma and attitudes toward homosexuals and IV drug users in AIDS‐related stigmatization . Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 1(2), 165-172. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  4. B. Bradford Brown , James Larson (2009). Peer Relationships in Adolescence . Handbook of Adolescent Psychology. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  5. Sarah Bargiela , Robyn Steward *Autistic author. Learn more… , Will Mandy (2016). The Experiences of Late-diagnosed Women with Autism Spectrum Conditions: An Investigation of the Female Autism Phenotype . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(10), 3281-3294. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    AutiHub · Autistic Scholars Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  6. Kathryn M. LaFontana , Antonius H. N. Cillessen (2010). Developmental Changes in the Priority of Perceived Status in Childhood and Adolescence . Social Development, 19(1), 130-147. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. Adam Hatton (2014). Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January 2014 . Digital Education Resource Archive (University College London).
    Type: Article OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1600750962
    OpenAlex
  8. Manuela Barreto (2015). APA handbook of personality and social psychology, Volume 2: Group processes. American Psychological Association.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  9. P. W. Corrigan (2007). How Clinical Diagnosis Might Exacerbate the Stigma of Mental Illness . Social Work, 52(1), 31-39. Oxford University Press (OUP).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  10. Jill Locke , Eric H. Ishijima , Connie Kasari , Nancy London (2010). Loneliness, friendship quality and the social networks of adolescents with high‐functioning autism in an inclusive school setting . Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 10(2), 74-81. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  11. S. K. Bell (2000). Children's Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions Toward a Peer Presented as Obese: Does a Medical Explanation for the Obesity Make a Difference? Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 25(3), 137-145. Oxford University Press (OUP).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  12. Rose E. A. Nevill , Susan W. White (2011). College Students’ Openness Toward Autism Spectrum Disorders: Improving Peer Acceptance . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(12), 1619-1628. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  13. Adam Rafalovich (2013). Attention Deficit‐Hyperactivity Disorder as the Medicalization of Childhood: Challenges from and for Sociology . Sociology Compass, 7(5), 343-354. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  14. Emily Berger , Penelope Hasking , Graham Martin (2017). Adolescents’ Perspectives of Youth Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Prevention . Youth & Society, 49(1), 3-22. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  15. Rita Obeid , Nidal Daou , Danielle DeNigris , Christina Shane‐Simpson , Patricia J. Brooks , Kristen Gillespie-Lynch (2015). A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Knowledge and Stigma Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder Among College Students in Lebanon and the United States . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(11), 3520-3536. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  16. Thomas Fondelli , Peter Rober (2017). ‘He also has the right to be who he is … ’. An exploration of how young people socially represent autism . International Journal of Inclusive Education, 21(7), 701-713. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  17. Erlend P. Kvaale , Nick Haslam , William H. Gottdiener (2013). The ‘side effects’ of medicalization: A meta-analytic review of how biogenetic explanations affect stigma . Clinical Psychology Review, 33(6), 782-794. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  18. Robert C. Butler , Jennifer M Gillis (2011). The Impact of Labels and Behaviors on the Stigmatization of Adults with Asperger’s Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(6), 741-749. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  19. Luisa Ruiz Calzada , Nancy Pistrang , Will Mandy (2012). High-Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Disorder: Utility and Meaning for Families . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(2), 230-243. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  20. Talcott Parsons (1951). Illness and the role of the physician: A sociological perspective. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 21(3), 452-460. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  21. Jonathan M. Campbell (2007). Middle School Students' Response to the Self-Introduction of a Student With Autism . Remedial and Special Education, 28(3), 163-173. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  22. B. G. Link , L. H. Yang , J. C. Phelan , P. Y. Collins (2004). Measuring Mental Illness Stigma . Schizophrenia Bulletin, 30(3), 511-541. Oxford University Press (OUP).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Nicole Matthews , Agnes R. Ly , Wendy A. Goldberg (2015). College Students’ Perceptions of Peers with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(1), 90-99. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  24. Jonathan M Campbell , Jane E Ferguson , Caitlin V Herzinger , Jennie N Jackson , Christine A Marino (2004). Combined descriptive and explanatory information improves peers’ perceptions of autism . Research in Developmental Disabilities, 25(4), 321-339. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  25. Rhidian Hughes , Meg Huby (2002). The application of vignettes in social and nursing research . Journal of Advanced Nursing, 37(4), 382-386. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  26. SHERRI CAVAN (1967). Being Mentally Ill. A Sociological Theory . Family Process, 6(1), 132-133. Wiley.
    OpenAlex
  27. Jason D. Carter , Judith A. Hall , Dana R. Carney , Janelle C. Rosip (2006). Individual differences in the acceptance of stereotyping . Journal of Research in Personality, 40(6), 1103-1118. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  28. Bridgette L. Tonnsen , Erin R. Hahn (2016). Middle School Students’ Attitudes Toward a Peer With Autism Spectrum Disorder . Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 31(4), 262-274. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  29. Patrick Chambres , Catherine Auxiette , Carole Vansingle , Sandrine Gil (2008). Adult Attitudes Toward Behaviors of a Six-year-old Boy with Autism . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(7), 1320-1327. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. Fumio Someki , Miyuki Torii , Patricia J. Brooks , Tatsuya Koeda , Kristen Gillespie-Lynch (2018). Stigma associated with autism among college students in Japan and the United States: An online training study . Research in Developmental Disabilities, 76, 88-98. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  31. Louise Dolphin , Eilis Hennessy (2014). Adolescents׳ perceptions of peers with depression: An attributional analysis . Psychiatry Research, 218(3), 295-302. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  32. Emily Iobst , Laura Nabors , Kim Rosenzweig , Laura Srivorakiat , Rachel Champlin , Jonathan Campbell et al. (2009). Adults’ perceptions of a child with autism . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3(2), 401-408. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  33. Claudia Malacrida (2004). Medicalization, Ambivalence and Social Control: Mothers’ Descriptions of Educators and ADD/ADHD . Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine, 8(1), 61-80. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  34. Department for Education (2017). Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January 2017 . Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January 2017.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  35. Stacey S. Horn (2003). Adolescents' reasoning about exclusion from social groups. Developmental Psychology, 39(1), 71-84. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  36. Jan Kornelis Dijkstra , Siegwart Lindenberg , René Veenstra (2007). Same-gender and cross-gender peer acceptance and peer rejection and their relation to bullying and helping among preadolescents: Comparing predictions from gender-homophily and goal-framing approaches. Developmental Psychology, 43(6), 1377-1389. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  37. David Farrugia (2009). Exploring stigma: medical knowledge and the stigmatisation of parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder . Sociology of Health & Illness, 31(7), 1011-1027. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  38. Annemarie Wright , Anthony F. Jorm , Andrew J. Mackinnon (2011). Labeling of mental disorders and stigma in young people . Social Science & Medicine, 73(4), 498-506. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  39. Marsha Harnum , Jim Duffy , Duncan A. Ferguson (2007). Adults’ Versus Children’s Perceptions of a Child with Autism or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(7), 1337-1343. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  40. Lise Mogensen , Jan Mason (2015). The meaning of a label for teenagers negotiating identity: experiences with autism spectrum disorder . Sociology of Health & Illness, 37(2), 255-269. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  41. David B. Feldman , Christian S. Crandall (2007). Dimensions of Mental Illness Stigma: What About Mental Illness Causes Social Rejection? Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 26(2), 137-154. Guilford Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  42. Steven K. Kapp *Autistic author. Learn more… , Kristen Gillespie-Lynch , Lauren E. Sherman , Ted Hutman (2013). Deficit, difference, or both? Autism and neurodiversity. Developmental Psychology, 49(1), 59-71. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1037/a0028353 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2124715426
    AutiHub · Autistic Scholars Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  43. David E. Gray (2002). ‘Everybody just freezes. Everybody is just embarrassed’: felt and enacted stigma among parents of children with high functioning autism . Sociology of Health & Illness, 24(6), 734-749. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  44. Elinor Ochs , Tamar Kremer‐Sadlik , Olga Solomon , Karen Gainer Sirota (2001). Inclusion as Social Practice: Views of Children with Autism . Social Development, 10(3), 399-419. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  45. Bernard Weiner (1993). On sin versus sickness: A theory of perceived responsibility and social motivation. American Psychologist, 48(9), 957-965. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  46. Neil Humphrey , Sarah Lewis (2008). `Make me normal' . Autism, 12(1), 23-46. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  47. Jeneva L. Ohan , Troy A. W. Visser (2009). Why Is There a Gender Gap in Children Presenting for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Services? Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 38(5), 650-660. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  48. Jennifer L. Jones , Kami L. Gallus , Kacey L. Viering , Lauren M. Oseland (2015). ‘Are you by chance on the spectrum?’ Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder making sense of their diagnoses . Disability & Society, 30(10), 1490-1504. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  49. S.M. Zeedyk , G. Rodriguez , L.A. Tipton , B.L. Baker , J. Blacher (2014). Bullying of youth with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or typical development: Victim and parent perspectives . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8(9), 1173-1183. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  50. Anthony F. Jorm , AnneMarie Wright (2008). Influences on young people's stigmatising attitudes towards peers with mental disorders: National survey of young Australians and their parents . British Journal of Psychiatry, 192(2), 144-149. Royal College of Psychiatrists.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  51. Noah J. Sasson , Kerrianne E Morrison (2019). First impressions of adults with autism improve with diagnostic disclosure and increased autism knowledge of peers . Autism, 23(1), 50-59. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  52. Cliodhna O'Connor , Irini Kadianaki , Kristen Maunder , Fiona McNicholas (2018). How does psychiatric diagnosis affect young people's self-concept and social identity? A systematic review and synthesis of the qualitative literature . Social Science & Medicine, 212, 94-119. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  53. Bruce G. Link , Jo C. Phelan (2001). Conceptualizing Stigma . Annual Review of Sociology, 27(1), 363-385. Annual Reviews.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  54. Anna-Kaisa Newheiser , Manuela Barreto (2014). Hidden costs of hiding stigma: Ironic interpersonal consequences of concealing a stigmatized identity in social interactions . Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 52, 58-70. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  55. Maccoby E. E. (1998). The two sexes: Growing up apart, coming together . The two sexes: Growing up apart, coming together.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  56. Morgan S. B. (1996). The Shared Activities Questionnaire. The Shared Activities Questionnaire..
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  57. Jolien Van der Graaff , Susan Branje , Minet De Wied , Skyler Hawk , Pol Van Lier , Wim Meeus (2014). Perspective taking and empathic concern in adolescence: Gender differences in developmental changes. Developmental Psychology, 50(3), 881-888. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1037/a0034325 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2314238864
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  58. Russell G. (2016). Re-thinking autism: Diagnosis, identity and equality . Re-thinking autism: Diagnosis, identity and equality, 252.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  59. Scheff T. J. (1966). Being mentally ill: A sociological theory . Being mentally ill: A sociological theory.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  60. David Watson , Lee Anna Clark , Auke Tellegen (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(6), 1063-1070. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  61. Spencer E. Cahill , Eleanor E. Maccoby (1999). The Two Sexes: Growing Up Apart, Coming Together . Contemporary Sociology, 28(4), 422. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.2307/2655304 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4299958088
    OpenAlex