How Unconscious and Conscious Bias Affect Autistics

In PlainSpeak, Plain Language for the Lay Reader 

In our journey towards a fair and inclusive society, it's important to understand the different types of biases that affect how we think about and treat people, especially those with autism. Bias can be divided into two main types: implicit (unconscious) and explicit (conscious) bias. Both play big roles in keeping unfair treatment and inequality going.

Implicit Bias

Implicit bias, also known as unconscious bias, refers to the automatic and unintentional thoughts or stereotypes we have about certain groups, even if we don't realize it. These biases are deep in our subconscious and can affect our actions and decisions without us knowing. For example, someone might unknowingly associate certain racial groups with negative traits, even if they believe in fairness and equality.

Impact on the Autism Community

For people with autism, implicit biases can show up in different ways:

• Healthcare: Doctors might unknowingly underestimate the pain or discomfort that autistic people feel, leading to poor care or wrong diagnoses. These hidden biases can result in less effective healthcare for autistic individuals (van Ryn & Fu, 2003).

• Education: Teachers might not expect as much from autistic students, which can hurt their chances to learn and succeed. This could mean keeping autistic students in separate special education classes instead of including them in regular classes, or treating them differently in the classroom, affecting the quality of their education.

• Employment: During hiring, employers might overlook autistic candidates, even if they are qualified for the job. This keeps unemployment rates high among autistic adults and limits their ability to be financially independent.

Recognizing and dealing with implicit bias is crucial for promoting diversity, fairness, and inclusion in all parts of society. Tools like the Implicit Association Test (IAT) can help people discover their hidden biases, so they can work on reducing them in their actions and decisions.

Explicit Bias

Explicit bias, on the other hand, is when people deliberately hold prejudiced views or discriminate against specific groups. Unlike implicit bias, explicit bias is clear and recognized by the person who holds these beliefs. For example, someone who openly says negative things about people of a certain ethnicity is showing explicit bias.

Impact on the Autism Community

Explicit bias against autistic individuals can take many forms:

• Hate Speech and Discrimination: Autistic people might face obvious discrimination or bullying at school, work, or in social settings. This can lead to feeling isolated, anxious, and depressed.

• Discriminatory Policies: Explicit biases can shape policies that hurt autistic people. For example, not providing the right support or accommodations in schools or workplaces can limit their opportunities.

• Stigma and Stereotyping: Explicit biases keep harmful stereotypes about autism going, like the idea that autistic individuals can't contribute meaningfully to society. These stereotypes can hurt their self-esteem and mental health, making it harder for them to fit in.

Addressing Bias in Autism

Understanding and addressing both implicit and explicit biases is important to create a fairer and more inclusive society for autistic people. Here are some steps we can take:

• Education and Awareness: Teaching people about autism and the biases that affect autistic individuals can help reduce both types of bias. Campaigns and programs can challenge stereotypes and promote understanding.

• Policy and Advocacy: Supporting policies that help the rights and needs of autistic people is essential. This includes making sure they have access to good healthcare, education, and job opportunities.

• Training and Development: Training professionals in healthcare, education, and other fields to recognize and deal with their biases can lead to fairer treatment and better outcomes for autistic individuals.

• Community Engagement: Involving the autism community and listening to autistic voices in decisions can make sure their needs and perspectives are included. This helps build a society where autistic individuals are valued and respected.