'We've come a very, very, long way' Overcoming stigma of autism: An interpretative phenomenological analysis within the UK Jewish community.
David Ariel Sher, Jenny L Gibson, Hannah Ella Sher
PMID 35317657WHAT IT FOUND
Ten UK Jewish parents, rabbis, and educators reported that stigma towards autism has decreased significantly, with children no longer hidden.
However, fear of stigma persists in some strictly Orthodox sectors due to matchmaking concerns. Lack of knowledge remains a greater barrier than active prejudice.
Key findings
01Participants reported that stigma towards autism is not unique to the Jewish community but is a universal challenge, though they noted considerable progress in reducing it locally.
02Fear of stigma was linked to matchmaking prospects in some strictly Orthodox sectors, causing parents to avoid certain schools or conceal diagnoses, but this was not prevalent in all community streams.
03Establishing specialist autistic schools and organisations within the community was identified as a key factor in normalising autism and reducing stigma by increasing visibility and understanding.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was small (10 participants) and focused exclusively on Orthodox and strictly Orthodox sectors, limiting generalisability to Reform, Liberal, or secular Jewish families. Participants were adults (parents, educators, rabbis), so the study did not directly capture the experiences of autistic individuals themselves. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have influenced participants' perspectives on community support and visibility. Findings are based on self-reported perceptions and may not reflect objective levels of stigma or service accessibility.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The research was funded by Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that all Jewish families share the same experiences of stigma or that community-based specialist schools are the preferred or only solution for every family. The study highlights significant variation between denominations and regions, and the findings are based on a small sample of adults, not autistic individuals themselves.