Integrating Antiracism and Life Course Frameworks in Research with Autistic Minority Transition-Aged Youth and Young Adults

Abstract

Racial and ethnic minority autistic transition-aged youth and young adults (TAYA) experience a range of barriers to optimal health, development, and thriving. These barriers are related to challenges associated with this distinct developmental period, as well as experiences linked to their multiple marginalized intersectional identities. Currently, there is a need for additional research that can spur the development and dissemination of critical supports for this population. In the current perspective, we call on researchers to integrate two established frameworks for: (1) antiracism research (i.e., the Public Health Critical Race Praxis [PHCR] model) and (2) sensitivity to developmental transitions (i.e., the life course health development [LCHD] model). Together, the PHCR and LCHD models offer a practical guide to conceptualize research with this population. We discuss how the central tenets of these models apply to minority autistic TAYA, propose overarching recommendations to researchers, and highlight existing and promising approaches that reflect these recommendations.