An Autoethnographic Exploration of the Intersectional Workplace Disclosure Experiences of an LGBTQ+, Cuban American Woman After Receiving an Adulthood Asperger Syndrome Diagnosis

Author

• Michelle Perez-Ng, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Date of Award

1-1-2023

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Roslyn Doctorow

Keywords

adult learning; autism; autoethnography; human resource development; intersectionality; workplace disclosure

Abstract

An Autoethnographic Exploration of the Intersectional Workplace Disclosure Experiences of an LGBTQ+, Cuban American Woman After Receiving an Adulthood Asperger Syndrome Diagnosis. Michelle Perez-Ng, 2023: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: adult learning, autism, autoethnography, workplace disclosure, intersectionality The purpose of this qualitative autoethnographic study was to address and expand the limited discourse related to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the workplace and the large population of individuals reaching adulthood without receiving a diagnosis. In addition, the study aimed to better the understanding of the intersectional workplace disclosure experiences of a Cuban American woman with ASD. Finally, the study also intended to build the argument for equitable interventions and resources addressing the unique needs of individuals with invisible disabilities who embody multiple stigmatized or underrepresented identities in the workplace. The data presented clear examples of the workplace experiences of an LGBTQ+ Cuban American woman diagnosed with Asperger syndrome as an adult and the subsequent disclosure circumstances. Inexpression or nondisclosure of my diagnosis stemmed partly from the stigma attached to ASD and the invisible nature of the condition in my behavior or expression. These findings aligned with the literature on social camouflaging and social mimicking seen in women with ASD.

NSUWorks Citation

Michelle Perez-Ng. 2023. An Autoethnographic Exploration of the Intersectional Workplace Disclosure Experiences of an LGBTQ+, Cuban American Woman After Receiving an Adulthood Asperger Syndrome Diagnosis. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. (1261)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd/1261.