Diversity-Friendly Initiatives: Substance or Show? The Case of Silent Clapping

Area of Science:

• Neurodiversity studies
• Social inclusion initiatives
• Communication methods

Background:

• Many diversity and inclusion initiatives lack empirical testing.
• Silent clapping (jazz hands) is increasingly used in events to include neurodivergent individuals.
• The actual benefit and desire for silent clapping among neurodivergent people is often assumed rather than verified.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neurodivergent community's perspective on silent clapping.
• To compare neurodivergent and neurotypical views on silent clapping.
• To identify variations in silent clapping endorsement within the neurodivergent population.

Main Methods:

• An international online survey was conducted.
• Collected responses from 389 neurodivergent and 237 neurotypical individuals.
• Analyzed perspectives on silent clapping, including subgroup variations.

Main Results:

• Neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals generally perceived silent clapping similarly.
• Responses regarding silent clapping endorsement were mixed, with no clear consensus.
• Autistic individuals showed higher endorsement than other neurodivergent groups, but individual variability persisted.

Conclusions:

• Silent clapping has varied reception; it's not universally endorsed within the neurodivergent community.
• While beneficial for some autistic individuals, silent clapping may raise other concerns.
• Inclusion strategies should be carefully considered and community-consulted, rather than broadly implemented.