Autism and Journaism

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"I believe my disability is my strength, and it makes me a better journalist," says Lydia Wilkins, a freelance journalist. "[My mentor] Harold Evans told me there is no shame in being obsessional as that is an asset, and that means you can get to the bottom of things

While there are no studies specifically dedicated to autistic journalists, autistic academics Aimee Grant and Helen Kara published a study into the strengths of autistic researchers in 2021. They coined a strengths-based model, the Autistic Advantage, which emphasises the ways in which autistic people are assets to the structures they exist in.

Autistic brains have increased hyper-plasticity – higher levels of adaptability in the form of generating new neural pathways – which impacts creativity, learning and memory, allowing them to think outside the box. Autistic people also tend to be more direct and honest in their communication and have high loyalty and empathy, which are desirable traits in a multitude of situations. Many autistic people have great attention to detail and have detailed knowledge of topic areas that are of interest to them, often hyperfocusing (long periods of concentration) on them. This advantage can be seen in autistic journalists too.

Eric Garcia, senior Washington correspondent for the Independent, was diagnosed as a child. "I don't think I would be as myopic when it comes to zeroing in on a certain topic if I weren't autistic," he said. "What is a beat but a glorified interest?"

Wilkins adds that asking difficult, "socially unacceptable" questions is easier for the autistic journalist too. She often asks questions others "wouldn’t dare" and is good at tracing documents and people, due to hyperfocusing.

A member of The Neurodiverse Media Community, a Facebook group for neurodiverse people working in the media, said that being autistic gives them "a really good strategic but creative approach, meaning I connect with stories thoroughly and build genuine relationships with contributors." Another member, who has been a community reporter for 30 years, said that they have a knack for spotting big stories hidden in the little things others miss.

This sentiment was echoed by Drew Hyndman, a BBC Radio 4 researcher, who said diversity in way of thinking can "make or break" a newsroom. "My brain will always think of different questions to that of a neurotypical person," he said, "which can often bring interesting angles to stories."

Many disabled people have issues at work, and the journalism industry is no exception. It is common to be pigeonholed or treated differently if you disclose a disability, and according to Wilkins, "diversity is taken with a tick box approach" rather than anything more meaningful.

It can be hard to get reasonable adjustments, which should be offered from the interview and application process onwards. Disclosing a disability at this stage can make it harder rather than easier, due to stigma and stereotypes, especially around autism.

I have a journalism degree and worked as the copy editor and a reporter for my high school and college newspapers. I want to get back into that field, but nobody’s willing to even give me an interview.

That is a real shame .. cause , I think Aspies make great journalists after I read the article in this thread .

She wrote and published books instead.
She enjoys writing on her own schedule, on her own topics.
She's still keenly invested in news / current events.
She says Twitter is likely the most reliable (unbiased) news source these days.

That is a real shame .. cause , I think Aspies make great journalists after I read the article in this thread .

I've been a newspaper copy editor for over 20 years. I've found that being on the spectrum is a huge help in a job like this where rigidity to rules is actually a strength. I've only been diagnosed for a few years but it explains why I'm so good at this job and have no desire to leave.

Humor… that is very sad she was treated that way , Isabella.. very frustrating to hear , how she was treated ..
Guess, I was idealizing about how journalist , ideally might be,, Not how they really are .