Emerging Media Guides

Black Autistic Families and COVID-19

Felicia McDevitt /

Mutual Aid, Communal Care, and Joy

Curator’s Statement

  • My name is Felicia McDevitt, and I am a graduating senior double majoring in American Studies and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies at Trinity College (Hartford, CT). This spring, I am taking a course titled “Autistic Blackness,” in which I created a final digital project titled “Black Autistic Families & COVID-19: Mutual Aid, Communal Care, & Joy.” Throughout the semester, we have read, discussed, and imagined how autism (disability) and Blackness (race) be read alongside one other, and placed into conversation with one another. We have done so through a variety of approaches and methods, i.e. history, lived experience, representation, activism, and social media.
  • My project focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on Black Autistic families, specifically looking at how to Black mothers (Brittney Autman & Jen White-Johnson) advocate, care for, and create spaces of joy for their Black autistic sons (Dae’Shun & Knox) and the Autistic community during a familial, communal, and global time of crisis and stress. The project is divided into two subtitles, based on mother-son pairs, and will touch on the themes articulated in the title—mutual aid, communal care, and joy. Through a close analysis and small compilation of social media posts and virtual activism, I will follow how these families use Instagram, GoFundMe’s, graphic design to create inclusive, accessible, and caring environments that foster creativity, consciousness, and care.

“COVID-19 Pandemic and Impact on Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder”

… in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (March 2021)

  • “Individuals with ASD may be more vulnerable in this pandemic due to the communication, socialization, and executive functioning differences that are inherent in the diagnosis… and its common co-occurring conditions (e.g., anxiety disorder, intellectual disability).”
  • Particularly vulnerable… “impacted by stay-at-home orders, closures at nonessential services, and social distancing standards. This commentary describes various challenges faced by individuals with ASD in the U.S. including disruptions caused by educational and vocational changes, challenges to home and leisure routines, limited access to behavioral health services and changes in health services delivery due to the pandemic.”
  • There is a “need for ongoing skills development for individuals and development within systems to better respond to needs of the ASD population in future emergencies.”
    • These are support networks that (creatively) bridge the gap for some families, but it is critical to remember that many have remained unsupported during this time.
      • This poses questions of ability and access, regardless of the materials being free & online.

“An Expert Discussion on Autism in the COVID-19 Pandemic”

…a discussion with eight diverse scholars, 5 with ASD themselves & many with Autistic children (June 2020)

  • “However, with challenge and change can come opportunity. For years, disability advocates and their allies have campaigned for reasonable adjustments to enable autistic people to better access social spaces, health care, education, and employment. Adjustments we have identified and prioritized together with the autism community, such as making appointments and receiving therapy online, have not been implemented. However, in the current crisis, these adjustments have finally had to happen for everyone, and quickly. This could have the unintended but positive effect of finally addressing longstanding barriers for autistic people’s inclusion in society that have been languishing for years.”

MUTUAL AID

Definition: mutual aid is the voluntary, reciprocal exchange of resources and services for mutual benefit; this conscious raising organizing has boomed in response to COVID-19’s social implications and the ongoing recognition of our shared precarity.
Image Description: two blue clipart hands reaching out to one another, as helping hands.

“I believe the generosity and solidarity in action in the present moment offers a foreshadowing of what is possible – and necessary. The basic generosity and empathy of most ordinary people should be regarded as a treasure, a light and an energy source that can drive a better society, if it is recognised and encouraged.”

– Rebecca Solnit, ‘The way we get through this is together’: the rise of mutual aid under coronavirus”

Brittney Autman & Dae’Shun

  • Dae’Shun is…
    • a 10-year-old Black boy with autism, who contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C), a pediatric disease associated with COVID-19.
  • Brittney is…
    • Black mother of 2
    • Unable to work during his hospitalization & is simultaneously juggling childcare for her second child, she is struggling with her mortgage, utilities, and (current and ongoing) medical expenses for Dae’shun’s condition. He has had both legs and his hands amputated. He suffered from various other severe medical problems, such as blood loss, blood clotting, kidney dialysis, heart treatments, etc. In her posting and updates, she shares that the life-altering consequences of MIS-C are tremendously difficult for Dae’shun to understand. Both Brittney and The Color of Autism Foundation have asked for support both financially and spiritually. 
  • Post Details: posted by The Color of Autism Foundation (@colorofautism) on 3/8/2021,
    • The Foundation was est. in 2009 by Camille Proctor, a Black mother with an Autistic son
    • Hashtags used: #autism; #COVID19. Links: GoFundMe. Tags: Brittney; two Fox News reporters: Deena Centofanti
    • Purpose: to amplify and circulate the GoFundMe; to spread awareness and visibility of COVID-19’s impact on Black Autists and their families.

Connecting Course Themes to COVID-19 & Mutual Aid

  • community, autistic blackness, class & disability, (Black) motherhood, navigating the medical sphere with autism or a loved one with autism
  • the broader strains and inequities of the pandemic along racial/gendered/classed lines
  • The pandemic has exploited government fault lines and creative, community-led mutual aid efforts have sparked up across the nation, reconfiguring social safety networks for those in need, based on class, race, gender, geographic location, disability status, citizenship, age, and profession.
  • It prompted opportunities for mutual aid, but it also showcases the need for radical, systematic change that is multifaceted and collaborative. Brittney & Dae’Shun’s story speaks to the power of public efforts and generosity, virtual organizing, and community building.

Questions & Reflections

These examples of shared support must be celebrated and continued as humanitarian acts, but they also should prompt public reflection as to why they are prompted and necessary in our current moment. How can we continually reimagine care? Looking forward, is there a way for the public and private spheres to both embrace the care work involved in surviving this crisis, and others like it? How can we continue to socially and economically support individuals and families throughout the pandemic, and in its wake?

JOY

definition: #Blackjoy, #blackboyJoy, & Autistic joy; broad, encompassing, and inclusive terms that deconstructs dominant narratives of blackness, boyhood, and black disability. This joy is affirming and enables free expression and existence from media stereotypes and violence.

“The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference.”

– Audre Lorde

Jen White-Johnson & Knox

Image Description: “Afro-Latina Mother and Son standing next to each other. Mom is wearing her favorite black leather jacket. She has a top-knot and streaks of blond through her dark hair. She is wearing blue jeans with the knees frayed. She is also wearing her favorite black high-top sneakers. She is smiling at her son. Her son is wearing a red puffer vest with a rainbow long sleeve shirt. He has an afro and is wearing blue headphones, he also wearing blue jeans and red sneakers.“
  • Jen is…
    • a Disabled Afro-Latina and “Neurodiverse Mama” to her autistic son, Knox
      • Her mission to redesign ableist visual culture design & create visibility for Black autistic children is rooted in Knox’s very joy
      • Other central themes: emboldening community, prompt reflection and change, and broaden public knowledge of the vast, diverse experiences of the Black Autistic community

Connecting Course Themes to COVID-19 & Mutual Aid

  • Her focus on Joy (Black Boy Joy, Autistic Joy, & Black Autistic Joy) has been amplified during the pandemic & BLM
  • The tangible visibility of Black Autistic children and their ability to exist—in full—free from violence, stigma, the pressure to conform, and discrimination. (Black Boy Joy connection)
  • Transformative spaces of learning, acceptance, healing, & community
  • Creative resistance to dominant narratives

Autism & COVID-19: Family Support Resources

  • Autistica: materials, advice, tips, & expert webinars to help ASD community families during COVID
  • Autism Society – toolkit (mental healh, modifying routines, self-care & wellness webinars)
    • Activities – summer staycation/alternative activity resources)

Zine Making in Quarantine

Made with Padlet

Podcast Links

Works Cited

Baweja, Raman, et al. “COVID-19 Pandemic and Impact on Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Mar. 2021, doi:10.1007/s10803-021-04950-9.

“Black History Month: February 2021 Toolkit.” Autism Society, 29 Jan. 2021, http://www.autism-society.org/february-toolkit/.

Cassidy, Sarah A., et al. “An Expert Discussion on Autism in the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Autism in Adulthood, vol. 2, no. 2, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers, May 2020, pp. 106–17. liebertpub.com (Atypon), doi:10.1089/aut.2020.29013.sjc.

@colorofautism. “https://www.gofundme.com/f/daeshun-has-covid-and-is-fighting-for-his-life.” 8 March 2021, https://www.instagram.com/p/CMKb3LogXwI/.

“COVID-19: Autism Society Response.” Autism Society, http://www.autism-society.org/covid-19/. Accessed 14 May 2021.

Jenwhitejohnson.Com. https://jenwhitejohnson.com/. Accessed 13 May 2021.

@jtknoxrox. “Excited to be back this year for another round of @dcdesignweek shenanigans…” 12 September 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/CFDcjAzhog2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

@jtknoxroxs. “Giving all the flowers to my fellow beautiful moms of all kinds today and everyday!” 9 May 2021, https://www.instagram.com/p/COqglfaBwek/.

@jtknoxrox. “I’m holding onto his youth for as long as I can.” 27 May 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/CAt0QcwhFEb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link.

@jtknoxrox. “Made this for @jmjrdc founder of @pivotdiversity to share with panelists at today’s Cisco Autism Forum: Giving Hope While Making Change…” 30 March 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/B_oNipuBpuB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link.

@jtknoxrox. “On this last day of Autism Acceptance Month, Knox and I are sharing our kids solidarity zine wall celebrating Autistic Joy!” 30 April 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/B_nj1U2hY-v/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link.

@jtknoxrox. “Our kids solidarity virtual zine making session was so dope yesterday!…” 22 March 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/B-DJyMBB9CL/.

@jtknoxrox. “Social solidarity post! We decided this should be an official thing!…” 20 March 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/B99_SdJheU0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link.

@jtknoxrox. “We’re maintaining and making more zines for our Kidz Solidarity Zine Fest through the rona, and we just found out that MD schools will be closed for at least 4 more weeks.” 25 March 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KXm5NhKES/.

“‘The Way We Get through This Is Together’: Mutual Aid under Coronavirus | Rebecca Solnit.” The Guardian, 14 May 2020, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/14/mutual-aid-coronavirus-pandemic-rebecca-solnit.

Related Posts