Current Project
I'm working on a project that explores the experiences of mothers of neurodivergent children, focusing on the stigma they may face and the support (or lack thereof) they receive within their religious communities. Drawing on Erving Goffman’s concept of stigma, this research examines how these mothers navigate courtesy stigma, where the social judgment attached to their child extends to them, often leading to exclusion, pity, or unrealistic expectations of faith and resilience. Stigma can manifest in subtle ways, such as a lack of accommodations, theological interpretations that frame neurodivergence as something to be "overcome," or silence from the community.
At the same time, religious spaces have the potential to provide deep emotional, social, and spiritual support. Goffman’s work also highlights how individuals manage stigma through strategies like passing (concealing aspects of their struggles), covering (minimizing its impact), or challenging (advocating for inclusion and redefining narratives around neurodivergence). This research explores how mothers engage with these strategies within faith-based settings, whether by seeking alternative sources of spiritual support, advocating for more inclusive practices, or reshaping religious understandings of neurodivergence and caregiving.
