Stigma of People with Autism: Analysis of Current Research Status in China and Future Outlook

Stigma is a persistent problem in society and culture, especially for individuals with autism who face significant stigmatization, which negatively impacts their life satisfaction and well-being. While early autism research focused on the diagnostic and treatment challenges of childhood, the increase in the age range of autism has led to a recent shift in research towards understanding the causes of autism. There is also a deeper understanding of the impact of autism, with social and mental health factors being brought into the focus of research. The impact of stigma on people with autism has been included as a key research focus. This research aims to discuss the impact of stigma on life satisfaction and well-being of Chinese autistic people. By analyzing the existing literature, this research summarizes the current state of research on stigma experienced by people with autism in China. It focuses on how stigma affects the mental health and social adjustment of autistic people, as well as the help of social support. This research not only reviews relevant theoretical studies, but also suggests possible directions for future research. In particular, it focuses on the influence of cultural context on the unique challenges faced by people with autism in China. This research also discusses interventions and recommendations to reduce stigmatization, aiming to build a foundation for future research to understand the Chinese autistic population.