Introduction

Puzzled: Stories from the Intersection is a work of personal exploration of what it means to navigate adulthood as an autistic person. This eight-page multimedia zine challenges stigmas, confronts misconceptions, and creates space for growth and healing. The zine explores themes of hyperfixation, infantilization, and acceptance within neurodiverse individuals and communities.

Literature Review

The general health of autistic adults is rarely studied, and misdiagnoses are common among those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Research has also identified racial biases in diagnosis of ASD which can lead to mistreatment and lower health outcomes (Browne), highlighting the urgent need for stigma reduction—an effort this zine seeks to support.

Zines can be powerful tools for challenging systems of oppression through constructive, multimedia content, as seen in the popular zine collective, F WORD, which challenges systemic, gender-based oppression. Although Puzzled was created individually, it draws inspiration from those created by activist collectives, fostering advocacy through a blend of creative mediums.

Methods

Acrylic marker and graphite on paper are scanned using Apple Notes or CamScanner, then formatted in Canva. Graphics and fonts with Creative Commons licenses are used to enhance the zine. Snippets of artist’s poetry and research are intertwined to add additional context within the mixed-media zine.

Audience & Impact

This zine is created for and about neurodiverse individuals, offering validation and representation to communities often left out of mainstream narratives. It also speaks to those seeking to unlearn personal biases and better understand the nuanced realities of others. On a personal level, creating this zine has been a meaningful process of growth, reflection, healing, and advocacy.

References

Browne, Tania. Autism and Addiction. Pavilion Publishing, 2020. dspace.stir.ac.uk, http://dspace.stir.ac.uk/handle/1893/31817.

F WORD. “F WORD.” Issuu, vol. VI, 14 Nov. 2016, https://issuu.com/femmag0/docs/f_word_vol_vi_.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the Thursday Art Research Practicum for your thoughtful critiques and encouragement throughout this semester. Heather, your energy and care have shaped this creative space in beautiful ways. And to my capstone advisor, Harold—thank you for your steady support, insight, and mentorship during this process.