Lauren Baczewski
AIR-P Scholar, Cohort 1 (2020-2021)
About
Project:
Exploring the Mental Healthcare Experiences of Autistic LGBTQ+ Young Adults: A Community-Partnered Study
Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Project Overview
Summary:
This study delves into the mental healthcare experiences of LGBTQ+ autistic-identifying young adults, a group known to face significant disparities in healthcare access.
Methods:
Utilizing a community-partnered approach, the research team worked with autistic LGBTQ+ individuals as co-researchers. The study gathered data from 29 participants through a demographic survey and semi-structured interviews, focusing on their access to mental healthcare.
Results:
Initial findings from the interviews, which included a significant portion of nonbinary or gender-expansive individuals, reveal key themes: the impact of ableism on mental health, the usefulness of concrete tools in therapy, and that therapists who affirm LGBTQ+ identities tend to be neurodivergent-friendly.
Conclusions:
The insights gained highlight the need for mental health supports that are both autistic and LGBTQ+ affirming. These results offer valuable guidance for clinicians and help autistic LGBTQ+ adults in seeking compatible mental health support.
Project Mentors and Contributors
Dr. Alexandra Sturm, PhD, Dr. Amanda Apgar, PhD, & Dr. Patricia Greenfield, PhD