Amina Phelps, an African American woman from Atlanta, Georgia, was raising her autistic 9-year-old son A.J. when she began to suspect that she herself may also be autistic. Sure enough, doctors diagnosed her with autism, even though she’s already in her 40’s. The shocking news and late diagnosis inspired her to write a book called Hidden in Plain Sight: A Journey of Autism, Motherhood, and Self-Discovery about how Black women with autism are often rendered invisible in conversations about neurodiversity, sidelined by systemic bias in research, resources, and public perception.
In her book, Amina courageously confronts this erasure while redefining what it means to thrive as a neurodivergent Black woman. Drawing from her lived experiences, she shines a light on the double-edged sword of being a Black woman with undiagnosed autism — a reality many women face due to the persistent white, male-centric lens of autism diagnosis and research. This deeply personal memoir is not just a call for representation but also an indictment of a system that routinely fails Black women and girls by misdiagnosing or overlooking their struggles altogether.
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The Fight for Visibility
Despite billions spent on autism research, Black autistic women remain glaringly absent from the narrative. A recent study found that over 77 years of autism research, only 6.8% of participants identified as Black, with studies rarely accounting for how autism manifests differently in Black women and girls. Phelps boldly challenges these inequities, sharing her own journey of misdiagnosis, masking, and eventual self-discovery, intertwined with the systemic failures that left her—and many others—without support for years.
“Black women and girls are often punished for their neurodivergence rather than supported,” Amina writes. “We are labeled as ‘bossy,’ ‘angry,’ or ‘difficult,’ when, in reality, we are navigating a world that doesn’t understand us.”
A Story of Resilience and Revolution
Hidden in Plain Sight doesn’t just expose the gaps in research and resources—it provides practical guidance for how society can better support Black neurodivergent women. Through candid storytelling, Phelps offers a roadmap for self-awareness, advocacy, and navigating relationships as a neurodivergent individual. Her step-by-step guide challenges readers to question the status quo and make meaningful changes in their own lives and communities.
Why This Book is Necessary—and Controversial
This book arrives at a critical moment, as Black autistic women are increasingly speaking out about the racial and gender biases that have historically excluded them from research, resources, and representation. Phelps’ work calls into question long-held assumptions about autism, demanding that diagnostic tools and cultural conversations become more inclusive of race, gender, and intersectionality.
Her unapologetic stance is sure to spark debate. “I refuse to accept that autism must look one way or fit one narrative,” Amina says. “Our stories matter, and it’s time the world started listening.”
Praise for “Hidden in Plain Sight”
“This book is a necessary, provocative addition to the autism conversation. Amina Phelps is unapologetic in her critique of the systems that fail Black women and girls, and her story will resonate deeply with anyone who’s ever felt unseen.” — Ash Cash Exantus, bestselling author and financial educator
About
Amina Phelps is a mother, wife, advocate, and author whose work centers on the intersection of race, gender, and neurodiversity. As a neurodivergent Black woman, she is passionate about creating spaces for love, understanding, and equity.
Her book, Hidden in Plain Sight: A Journey of Autism, Motherhood, and Self-Discovery, is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target and wherever books are sold.
For press inquiries, media interviews, or review copies, please contact Roz Smalls at info@1BrickPublishing.com or 877-740-7240.
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