UNDERSTANDING THE “WHY’S”

Ever wondered why certain things have always felt harder for you than they seem to be for others? Why you struggle with social interactions, burnout, or sensory overload… things no one ever explained in a way that made sense?

This section is here to help you put the pieces together.

For many Black autistic people, our experiences have been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood. We were told we were too sensitive, too blunt, too much, or not enough, but never given the real reason behind our struggles.

Here, you’ll find answers to the “whys” behind the challenges, patterns, and traits that shape our lives. These articles break down what’s happening, why it happens, and what you can do about it, all in a way that actually makes sense.

Because you deserve answers. You deserve to understand yourself. And most importantly, you deserve to know that you are not broken❤

Autism & Black Identity

• Why Autism Is Underdiagnosed in Black Communities
• Why Many of Us Were Labeled “Defiant” Instead of Autistic
• Why Growing Up Black & Autistic Meant Masking for Survival
• Why You Struggle with Authority Figures (Autism & Anti-Black Bias)
• Why Black Autistic Women & Nonbinary People Are Often Overlooked
• Why Many of Us Were Misdiagnosed with Anxiety or Depression Instead of Autism
• Why So Many Black Autistic Kids Get Misdiagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)?
• Why Are Black Autistic People More Likely to Be Misdiagnosed with Schizophrenia?

Sensory & Emotional Processing

• Why Rejection Feels So Physically Painful (RSD & Autism)
• Why You Feel Emotionally “Too Much” or “Too Little” at Times
• Why Certain Noises, Textures, or Smells Overwhelm You More Than Others
• Why You Can Hyperfocus for Hours But Struggle with Small Tasks
• Why You Experience Autistic Burnout More Often as a Black Person
• Why Being Around People Feels Exhausting (Even When You Like Them)
• Why You Sometimes Don’t Recognize Your Own Emotions Until It’s Too Late

Social & Cultural Experiences

• Why Socializing Feels Like an Unwritten Script You Never Got
• Why You Struggle with Code-Switching & Masking at the Same Time
• Why You Feel “Too Black for White Spaces, Too Autistic for Black Spaces”
• Why Black Autistic People Experience More Workplace Discrimination
• Why Autism Can Impact the Way You Express Faith, Spirituality, or Religion