Would ASD sensitivity training make a difference?

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I thought about placing this query in the School discussion group, but then thought it's got broader implications, like the effect that sensitivity training in schools could have beyond school, or that sensitivity training could be in another setting (like the workplace).

So what do you think?
Could it actually make a difference, if - starting in schools - all students had to undergo some sort of ASD sensitivity instruction?

I'm not 100% on board with it, but more likely to want society to test it, gradually, in some settings. Overall, I think it's a risky proposition, and I'll tell you why:

You know how they say that sociopaths are beyond therapeutic help; instead, they will use the information that a therapist gives them to further manipulate their intended victims/targets. So, extrapolating from that, we on the spectrum know from experience that several neurotypicals who aren't otherwise sociopathic may behave in a pathological manner towards us. So you can see where I'm going with this: if any NT participants in ASD sensitivity training are forewarned about our "alternative operating system" and quirks etc., and they already have some embedded hostility towards ASD folks, they may use the info from the sensitivity seminars to "push buttons" of the ASD individual.

This would be even more amplified, if such individuals were seeking approval and acceptance from an actual sociopathic individual, who's all charismatic with others and has social finesse (which is more like a psychopath than a sociopath, but hey I digress - tomayto, tomahto).

Or, maybe - just maybe - when those more enlightened NT folks get into high school, they might feel inclined to help their ASD peer know which clothes to wear, what slang or "double talk" to use, more expressiveness in role play, what music is cool, etc. Again, a risk that they may want to ridicule or give disinformation to the subject under the pretext of betterment, but...life is full of risks!!

So, yeah...mixed feelings. I dunno!

An interesting idea.

I do see a potential widespread benefit. Most people would gain a small awareness of autistic traits and how to better interact with autistic people.

But I agree there will be a few people who will use the information to better target autistic people. More likely people who are irritated at the mandatory requirement than people who are looking for victims.

But then if a larger portion of people are aware and positive, they could be "allies" (as they say) and help work against a person who is making things hard for autistics.

I would love to see something like this instituted on a small scale so we can observe the effects.

For decent kids, yes.

But a lot of meaner kids single kids out for being different.

And knowing what the weak spots were would just make it easier to pick on them.

That is a really complex question. Explicit bias toward those with ASD is positive, but implicit bias is negative. How effective sensitivity training can be, especially with HS students is unknown.

Implicit and Explicit Attitudes Toward Autistic Adults

Agreed.  All of the "Sensitivity" training sessions I have attended have served only to (a) teach new methods by which "sensitive" people could be picked on, (b) teach which methods to avoid in favor of the method that were not mentioned, or (c) inspire bullies to exercise their creativity and find other, more insidious methods to use in picking in "sensitive" people.

Here is another study you may finding interesting: Perceptions of and Behavior toward University Students with Autism

Here is a more pertinent study: Effects of autism acceptance training on explicit and implicit biases toward autism

From the conclusion:

I agree to the extent that the audience members of such sessions were directed to attend them based on unruly or delinquent behaviour. THAT makes no sense - it's like seeing the world through rose-coloured glasses, that the forced attendance of such miscreants is going to make them more compassionate people
The do-gooder admins who arrange such seminars are, pound for pound, arguably more naive than those of us on the spectrum!! !

It reminds me of an adage I heard somewhere, that restraining orders only work on those who wouldn't require one in the first place

It would make a difference for the decent people. It wouldn't make a difference to the pricks who hate us.

Perhaps not thinking about the others which will anyway do as they do, if they aren't being given means, they will seek for them, and thinking if it actually can benefit us is more productive.

Maybe baiting them with harmless guides that actually work for us more than against us, though, will contribute to the greater good.

I hold my preference for homeschooling, especially for younger people. I am much stronger as an adult autistic.

I still think delinquents must be more effectively identified, monitored and weakened. The issue is not good enough means to counter bullying, stop it and help everyone fit in.

The student propaganda and shaming of differences is also too strong with no counter propaganda.