San Francisco Supervisor Discloses Autism Diagnosis, Pushes to Protect Neurodivergent Services

San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood unveiled a resolution this week that would protect support services and inclusion efforts for the city’s neurodivergent community, an issue that hits close to home for the newly elected official.

Mahmood often struggled with navigating social interactions growing up. It was difficult for him to maintain eye contact, shake hands and exchange hugs. and he was frustrated by abrupt changes to his schedule. He knew he was different from his peers, but didn’t know why.

When he began his political career in San Francisco a few years ago, Mahmood found himself in the spotlight. Despite a shy and introverted nature, Mahmood was required to “put [himself] out there more” as a politician, and he struggled with exhaustion and burnout.

In 2021, Mahmood was diagnosed with Level 1 autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication and other social behaviors. The diagnosis was liberating, Mahmood said.

In a statement announcing his diagnosis on Wednesday, Mahmood said learning about his autism helped him embrace his differences as strengths. He may be the first elected official in San Francisco to publicly disclose an autism diagnosis — a decision he hopes will help others feel less alone, Mahmood said in the statement.

In school, Mahmood was taught that autism primarily affects young white males — a widespread misconception that disproportionately affects people of color and women, he said. As a Muslim and South Asian man, Mahmood said he did not realize that some of his struggles could be a result of an undiagnosed neurological condition.

“This resolution is about raising awareness and trying to destigmatize autism,” Mahmood told KQED.

Mahmood said he wants to advocate for vulnerable communities that rely on local government and organizations to provide them with essential services, such as specialized tutoring for students with neurological disorders and opportunities for community engagement.

“There are lifelines for these communities, and I want to make sure we continue to advocate for them in the months ahead,” he continued.

Programs that Mahmood seeks to protect are in danger of being cut because of San Francisco’s ongoing budget crisis.

The San Francisco Unified School District is facing a $113 million budget shortfall in the coming year, which could jeopardize programs for children with developmental disabilities, although Mahmood said SFUSD committed to preserving them. In past years, cuts were made to the Department of Children, Youth and Family Services, a city agency that provides funding to these support services, he said.

Service gaps remain for neurodivergent people in San Francisco. Lack of workforce inclusion, housing and health care access are major obstacles, and Mahmood said the city should consider the shortcomings ahead of budget negotiations with Mayor Daniel Lurie in June.

Bird Sellergren, executive director of the Bay Area Autism Collective, said autistic adults experience extreme loneliness and isolation as they get older, a feeling that’s exacerbated by limited access to community-based services and neuro-affirming health care. Autistic people also face higher rates of unemployment, according to Sellergren.

“To be able to actually address these issues in real time would be a significant move forward for the autistic community and having people in politics that are recognizing our struggle and willing to work with us to try to improve our circumstances is just a real gift,” they said, referencing Mahmood’s resolution.

Sellergren said improving public understanding of autism and how it may show up in different populations could help address a lot of the issues the community faces. If autistic people had access to more support, it could even reduce rates of homelessness, they said, adding that neurodivergent people are particularly vulnerable to exploitation.

Mahmood recently visited The Arc San Francisco, a nonprofit that provides social, educational and residential services to people living with developmental disabilities. Esther Landau, The Arc’s senior director of advancement, said she appreciates city leaders who bring visibility to an underserved community.

As the Trump administration threatens to cut federal funding for Medicaid and other programs, state and local representatives need to step up so that organizations like The Arc can continue flourishing, she said.

“We are a community that tends to be unseen,” Landau said. “A really big thing that needs to happen for this population to succeed is to not have to carry that load all themselves.”