From disparities in healthcare to social alienation, structural racism has exerted a considerable impact on the lives of Black people. Likewise, individuals with disabilities, including autistic people, are often on the receiving end of prejudice and discrimination. But how do race and disability stigma interact and influence the lived experiences of people with multiple marginalized identities? This talk will highlight the intersectional stigma experienced by Black autistic people, and its effects on their social and health outcomes.

Desi is a 5^th year Psychology PhD student at the University of Texas at Dallas. Her research focuses on how autistic people are perceived by their peers, and how these perceptions impact the experiences of autistic adults. Desi is also interested in the intersection of race and disability, and ways to reduce barriers for disabled people of color. For her dissertation, Desi will investigate the relationship between stigmatizing attitudes, peer victimization, and mental health outcomes in Black and White autistic adults. Prior to joining UTD, Desi worked as a research assistant at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She graduated from Wellesley College with a BA in Neuroscience and Psychology in 2016 and in 2020, she received her MS in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience from UTD.

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