Understanding the Whys
This is our "Why" guide.
Why life felt so hard. Why so many people didn't see us.
Each card here links to a full article with more detail and audio. Click any title to read or listen.
Autism & Black Identity
These articles explore why autism can look different in Black people, why it's often missed, and how mislabeling happens.
Why Autism Is Underdiagnosed in Black Communities
Doctors often do not see autism in Black kids and adults. They look for other things instead.
Why Many of Us Were Labeled "Defiant" Instead of Autistic
When Black kids act different, people say they are bad. Not that they might be autistic.
Why Growing Up Black & Autistic Meant Masking for Survival
We had to hide our real selves to stay safe. Both as Black people and as autistic people.
Why You Struggle with Authority Figures (Autism & Anti-Black Bias)
Authority figures can feel scary or confusing. Especially when they treat us badly because we are Black and autistic.
Why Black Autistic Women & Nonbinary People Are Often Overlooked
Doctors think autism is for boys. Black women and nonbinary folks get missed even more.
Why Many of Us Were Misdiagnosed with Anxiety or Depression Instead of Autism
Doctors said we had anxiety or depression. They did not see the autism underneath.
Why So Many Black Autistic Kids Get Misdiagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)?
Black autistic kids get called defiant. They get blamed instead of helped.
Why Are Black Autistic People More Likely to Be Misdiagnosed with Schizophrenia?
Sometimes doctors think Black autistic adults are hearing voices. They give the wrong diagnosis.
Sensory & Emotional Processing
These articles are about how we feel things. Why some things hurt our senses. Why our emotions work the way they do.
Why Rejection Feels So Physically Painful (RSD & Autism)
When people reject us, it hurts our body. It is not just in our head. It is real pain.
Why You Feel Emotionally "Too Much" or "Too Little" at Times
Sometimes we feel everything so big. Other times we feel numb. Both are okay and real.
Why Certain Noises, Textures, or Smells Overwhelm You More Than Others
Our senses are strong. Some sounds, touches, or smells can hurt or be too much.
Why You Can Hyperfocus for Hours But Struggle with Small Tasks
We can focus super hard on things we love. But small boring tasks feel impossible.
Why You Experience Autistic Burnout More Often as a Black Person
Black autistic folks burn out faster. We mask more. We deal with racism too. It wears us down.
Why Being Around People Feels Exhausting (Even When You Like Them)
People can be fun. But being social drains our energy. Even with people we love.
Why You Sometimes Don't Recognize Your Own Emotions Until It's Too Late
We might not know how we feel until later. Our emotions can surprise us.
Social & Cultural Experiences
These articles talk about navigating spaces. Why we feel out of place. How being Black and autistic shapes our daily life.
Why Socializing Feels Like an Unwritten Script You Never Got
Everyone seems to know the social rules. We never got the guide. We have to guess.
Why You Struggle with Code-Switching & Masking at the Same Time
We code-switch as Black people. We mask as autistic people. Doing both at once is exhausting.
Why You Feel "Too Black for White Spaces, Too Autistic for Black Spaces"
We do not fit in white spaces. We do not fit in Black spaces. We feel stuck in between.
Why Black Autistic People Experience More Workplace Discrimination
Work is hard. Black autistic folks face racism and ableism at the same time.
Why Autism Can Impact the Way You Express Faith, Spirituality, or Religion
Faith can feel different for autistic folks. We might not show it the same way others do.