FACT 16: Social justice often fails individuals with ASD
- Historically, individuals with autism have faced systemic discrimination and marginalization, resulting in significant barriers to achieving their civil and human rights. This marginalization contributes to high rates of unemployment, homelessness, limited healthcare access, ineffective services, and overall oppression and fear. Many adults with ASD face poverty and exclusion at disproportionately high rates.
- Social interaction challenges often limit their ability to fully participate in the workforce. Although studies show high unemployment and underemployment rates among adults with ASD, the core issue isn’t autism itself, but rather a lack of workplace inclusion. Research primarily focuses on how individuals with autism can adapt to workplace norms, often overlooking the need for workplaces to adapt their environments and expectations to support those on the autism spectrum.
- To begin to tackle this issue, it’s necessary to lobby for policy change surrounding qualifications of disability income. Additionally, the creation of long-term services or extension of services would prove beneficial. Further solutions may include the creation of a nonprofit organization to create and fund services. Lastly, matters could be brought to local, state, and federal politicians to encourage them to create and fund governmental services.
"Marginalization of People Diagnosed With Autism By Devin Reul, MSW, and Trista Yates, MSW Social Work Today Vol. 23 No. 3 P. 22"