2.3 Give examples of how individuals with autism may experience discrimination

This guide will help you answer 2.3 Give examples of how individuals with autism may experience discrimination.

Understanding how discrimination affects individuals with autism is an important part of supporting them within health and social care. Discrimination means treating someone unfairly or unequally because of features like disability, race, age, or gender. People with autism often experience this in everyday life, both directly and indirectly.

Autism, sometimes known as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. Neurodevelopmental means that it affects how the brain develops and works. Autism involves differences in social communication, interaction, and behaviour. Every person with autism is different and there’s a wide range of strengths and difficulties. Sadly, misunderstanding and lack of awareness can lead to many types of discrimination.

Direct Discrimination

Direct discrimination is when someone is treated worse than another person because of their autism. This could happen at school, in the workplace, or elsewhere in daily life.

Examples of Direct Discrimination

• Refusing to admit a child with autism to a mainstream school, even though reasonable adjustments could help
• An employer not hiring someone because they have disclosed an autism diagnosis
• A staff member making unkind remarks or jokes about a person’s autistic traits in front of others
• Health professionals ignoring a person’s needs once they learn about their autism, assuming they will be difficult

Impact

Direct discrimination causes distress. It often lowers self-confidence and can make a person feel isolated or unwanted.

Indirect Discrimination

Indirect discrimination happens when a rule or policy looks fair on the surface but disadvantages people with autism in practice.

Examples of Indirect Discrimination

• An employer insists all staff must answer phones and speak to customers, with no flexibility. This disadvantages autistic staff who communicate better by email
• A college only provides training through group work. Autistic people who struggle with group communication miss out
• Health appointments are only by phone, making it hard for autistic people who find phone calls stressful
• Social clubs that only run activities in loud, busy environments, excluding those with sensory needs

Impact

Indirect discrimination can go unnoticed because rules seem to be applied equally. In reality, some people are unfairly blocked or put at a disadvantage. It can lead to fewer opportunities and a sense of being left out.

Structural Discrimination

Structural discrimination means the systems or structures in society work against people with autism, often without any individual meaning to cause harm.

Examples of Structural Discrimination

• Public spaces, such as hospitals, with bright lighting and loud noises that overwhelm people with sensory sensitivities
• Lack of clear information or visual guides in public services. Many autistic people benefit from visual instructions or simple written directions
• Application processes for benefits or healthcare that use complex language, making it hard for someone with autism to apply for support
• Long waiting lists for assessment, meaning people may not be able to access the help they need

Impact

Structural discrimination creates ongoing barriers. This means people with autism can find it difficult to get services, benefits, and support. It can affect every part of life, from education to healthcare.

Discrimination in Education

Schools and colleges play a large role in people’s lives. Discrimination in education can happen in several ways.

Examples in Education

• Teachers not believing a student’s autism diagnosis and refusing to provide support
• Excluding an autistic student from trips because of their behaviour, without trying any other support options
• Not making adjustments for exams, such as providing a quiet room, even after being asked

Impact in Education

Students with autism who face discrimination may struggle more academically. They might refuse or be unable to attend school and can develop mental health problems.

Discrimination in Employment

Finding and keeping work can be challenging for people with autism. Many face unfair treatment in the workplace.

Examples in Employment

• Job adverts asking for “excellent verbal communication”, even when it is not needed for the role
• Workplaces refusing small changes, like quiet workspaces or written instructions
• Bullying or harassment from colleagues because someone ‘acts differently’

Impact in Employment

Discrimination at work leads to higher unemployment for autistic people. Many are out of work or underemployed, even when they have the skills needed.

Discrimination in Healthcare

Health and social care settings often unknowingly discriminate against autistic people.

Examples in Healthcare

• Professionals ignoring a person’s own accounts of how they feel, assuming it is ‘just part of their autism’
• Doctors making decisions about care without involving the person or their family
• Hospital settings that don’t allow for adjustments, such as breaks from waiting in busy areas

Impact in Healthcare

People with autism may avoid seeking help, leading to worse health outcomes. Medical problems can be missed or misunderstood.

Discrimination in Social Life and Community

Autistic people may experience exclusion and isolation during social activities or when using community services.

Examples

• Being left out of community groups or social events due to different ways of communicating or behaving
• People making assumptions or negative comments, such as “You don’t look autistic”
• Access to public services being blocked by staff who do not understand autism

Impact

This type of discrimination can lead to loneliness and mental health struggles and reduce quality of life.

Discrimination Through Stereotyping

Stereotyping means assuming everyone with autism is the same or fits a certain image.

Examples of Stereotyping

• People with autism are all good with numbers or computers
• Women can’t be autistic
• Autistic people lack all empathy

Impact of Stereotyping

Such beliefs overlook the wide range of skills, interests, and personalities among autistic people. Stereotypes can lead to poor support and missed diagnoses, especially among girls or those who do not ‘fit the mould’.

Discrimination from Lack of Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments are changes or supports which help remove barriers for disabled people. The law asks services and employers to consider these. Failure to provide adjustments is a common way discrimination happens.

Examples

• Not allowing extra time in interviews for someone who finds processing verbal instructions hard
• Refusing flexible working hours for someone who finds travel at busy times overwhelming
• Ignoring requests for quiet spaces in public areas

Impact

Without reasonable adjustments, people with autism face extra challenges. It limits their opportunities and full participation.

Bullying and Harassment

People with autism are more likely to experience bullying, both as children and adults.

Examples

• Name-calling or mockery because someone has different interests
• Physical bullying at school
• Cyberbullying through social media

Impact

Frequent bullying can result in lasting damage. It may impact confidence, education, and mental health.

Discriminatory Language and Attitudes

The language used by others can be discriminatory as well.

Examples

• Using terms like ‘weird’ or ‘strange’ to describe someone with autistic traits
• Assuming someone is being rude or difficult on purpose
• Discussing someone’s diagnosis without their consent

Impact

Insensitive language increases stigma. It can make individuals feel ashamed of who they are.

Legal Context

Discrimination against people with autism is illegal under the Equality Act 2010. This law applies to services, businesses, employers, and education providers. It states that reasonable adjustments must be made to remove barriers. Ignoring this requirement may result in legal action.

Supporting People Facing Discrimination

Support workers play a vital role in tackling discrimination. This includes:

• Speaking up if they see unfair treatment
• Making sure reasonable adjustments are in place
• Helping people with autism voice their needs or complain if necessary
• Promoting awareness in their workplace and beyond

Understanding how discrimination happens is the first step. Workers must listen to autistic people and believe their experiences.

Promoting Inclusion

Inclusion means everyone is valued and has equal access, no matter their differences. Workers can help by:

• Using clear, respectful communication
• Respecting sensory needs and preferences
• Asking for feedback about what works best for each person

Environments and practices should be reviewed regularly to remove unnecessary barriers.

Final Thoughts

Discrimination can have far-reaching effects on the lives of individuals with autism. Some examples are more obvious, such as refusal to provide needed support. Others are hidden in everyday rules and expectations that unintentionally create obstacles. The impact of this discrimination is deeply personal. It can shape education, work, health, and confidence.

Staff in health and social care settings have a responsibility to challenge discrimination. They must be alert to the different ways it shows up and work hard to remove barriers. Listening, learning, and adaptability are all key. Place the needs, wishes, and rights of autistic individuals at the centre of your practice. This helps create a fairer, more supportive environment where everyone can thrive.