Reporting From the Spectrum: The Unconventional Experiences of Autistic Journalists
Location
PANEL: Communication Capstone Pt. III
CELA Moffett
Moderator: Cortney Smith
Document Type
Presentation - Open Access
Start Date
5-1-2026 4:30 PM
End Date
5-1-2026 5:30 PM
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability that impacts social communication, interaction, and behavior. Across various industries, stereotypes and stigmatization towards autistic adults contribute to uncomfortable workplace environments and disproportionate rates of unemployment. Companies and professionals sometimes make misinformed statements about “advantages” of hiring autistic employees, or that “high functioning” autistic people are intellectually superior, especially in science or math. Negative views about their empathy and socialization skills may also leave autistic people with few safe employment options, let alone jobs that match their skills and interests. Through autoethnography and theoretical synthesis, I will examine the workplace experiences of autistic journalists. Due to the largely unexplored relationship between them, this paper conceptualizes ASD and the journalistic profession as they both relate to different aspects of communication. First, I establish an understanding of autistic traits beyond widely-circulated stereotypes, and describe the typical roles and qualifications of contemporary journalists. I will evaluate the overlaps and divergences of ASD and journalistic communication through specific scenarios from my own lived experience as an autistic student journalist, and examples of several professional journalists who’ve discussed their ASD diagnosis. Neurodivergence must not be viewed as an immediate disqualification from the media or public-facing careers, nor should it be a rarity. This paper connects a disability often defined by its barriers to communication, and a profession whose lifeline is communication; it finds that they are not as diametrically opposed as they initially seem, and employment for people on the spectrum can take many forms.
Keywords:
Communication, Journalism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Employment
Recommended Citation
Gielty, Rory, "Reporting From the Spectrum: The Unconventional Experiences of Autistic Journalists" (2026). Research Symposium. 13.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/researchsymp/2026/presentations/13
Major
Communication Studies
Project Mentor(s)
Cortney Smith, Writing and Communication
2026
Reporting From the Spectrum: The Unconventional Experiences of Autistic Journalists
PANEL: Communication Capstone Pt. III
CELA Moffett
Moderator: Cortney Smith
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability that impacts social communication, interaction, and behavior. Across various industries, stereotypes and stigmatization towards autistic adults contribute to uncomfortable workplace environments and disproportionate rates of unemployment. Companies and professionals sometimes make misinformed statements about “advantages” of hiring autistic employees, or that “high functioning” autistic people are intellectually superior, especially in science or math. Negative views about their empathy and socialization skills may also leave autistic people with few safe employment options, let alone jobs that match their skills and interests. Through autoethnography and theoretical synthesis, I will examine the workplace experiences of autistic journalists. Due to the largely unexplored relationship between them, this paper conceptualizes ASD and the journalistic profession as they both relate to different aspects of communication. First, I establish an understanding of autistic traits beyond widely-circulated stereotypes, and describe the typical roles and qualifications of contemporary journalists. I will evaluate the overlaps and divergences of ASD and journalistic communication through specific scenarios from my own lived experience as an autistic student journalist, and examples of several professional journalists who’ve discussed their ASD diagnosis. Neurodivergence must not be viewed as an immediate disqualification from the media or public-facing careers, nor should it be a rarity. This paper connects a disability often defined by its barriers to communication, and a profession whose lifeline is communication; it finds that they are not as diametrically opposed as they initially seem, and employment for people on the spectrum can take many forms.
