Short Report: Autistic Adults' Perceptions of Gender, Autism, and Policing in the United States
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| Title: | Short Report: Autistic Adults' Perceptions of Gender, Autism, and Policing in the United States |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Meredith Cola (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2026 30(5):1368-1377. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 10 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (DHHS/NIH) National Institutes of Health (NIH) (DHHS) |
| Contract Number: | P50HD105354 R42MH115539 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adults, At Risk Persons, Police Community Relationship, Gender Identity, Attitudes, Police, Justice, Self Disclosure (Individuals), Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Law Enforcement |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613251395539 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | Autistic individuals face increased risk during police interactions in the United States, including injury and death. Research shows police behave inequitably during interactions with marginalized communities and may behave even more inequitably toward individuals with multiple minoritized identities. Many autistic people also identify as gender diverse. However, it is largely unknown if or how autistic adults' perceptions of police differ by gender identity. We examined autistic adults' perceptions of policing, autism, and gender using an online questionnaire. Results revealed significant differences across gender groups (cis women, cis men, gender diverse) in perceptions of justice, comfort in disclosing diagnosis, helpfulness of diagnostic disclosure, influence of gender, and concern that one's autistic traits would be misperceived as dangerous. These findings align with widespread calls for police reform and suggest current policing practices likely do not meet the needs of all autistic individuals, particularly autistic cis women and gender diverse individuals, who are more likely to report their gender has influenced police interactions and more concerned that their autistic characteristics are being misperceived, relative to autistic cis men. Reducing the harm marginalized groups face because of systemic inequities in the current policing system is a critical need that could enhance safety for autistic individuals. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1503233 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Autistic individuals face increased risk during police interactions in the United States, including injury and death. Research shows police behave inequitably during interactions with marginalized communities and may behave even more inequitably toward individuals with multiple minoritized identities. Many autistic people also identify as gender diverse. However, it is largely unknown if or how autistic adults' perceptions of police differ by gender identity. We examined autistic adults' perceptions of policing, autism, and gender using an online questionnaire. Results revealed significant differences across gender groups (cis women, cis men, gender diverse) in perceptions of justice, comfort in disclosing diagnosis, helpfulness of diagnostic disclosure, influence of gender, and concern that one's autistic traits would be misperceived as dangerous. These findings align with widespread calls for police reform and suggest current policing practices likely do not meet the needs of all autistic individuals, particularly autistic cis women and gender diverse individuals, who are more likely to report their gender has influenced police interactions and more concerned that their autistic characteristics are being misperceived, relative to autistic cis men. Reducing the harm marginalized groups face because of systemic inequities in the current policing system is a critical need that could enhance safety for autistic individuals. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613251395539 |
