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Black parents need support with the autism diagnostic process

Autism becomes more widely recognized in the black community, but challenges remain when it comes to obtaining an appropriate and appropriate diagnosis. According to a CDC report, around 3% of black, Hispanic and Asian children in the United States are diagnosed on the spectrum, compared to around 2% of white children. This is a big change compared to 2010, when white children were 30% more likely to be diagnosed than black children. Experts say that this change is mainly due to better screening, improved services and greater awareness and advocacy in colored communities.

Even if more black children are diagnosed now, many are still facing delays in diagnosis and obstacles to help. On average, black children are diagnosed later than white children, and they are more likely to be poorly diagnosed with other conditions before doctors recognize that they are on the spectrum of autism. These delays make it more difficult for families to obtain early support, which can have an impact on long -term learning and development.

Studies show that black parents often notice something different about their child, although they do not always describe the classic signs of being on the spectrum of autism. For example, white families are more likely to talk about repetitive behavior (a key sign of autism). On the other hand, black families are more likely to mention general concerns such as speech delays, motor skills or sleep problems. This can lead doctors to miss the subtle signs of autism, especially if the child does not have more obvious symptoms or if the child happens to be a girl.

Autism is often underdiagnosed in black girls. Even if more children are identified with him today than in the past, black girls are still faced with important obstacles in the diagnosis, support and inclusion in terms of research. This sub-diagnostic is caused by several factors overlapping, including racial biases, gender biases and the lack of screening and culturally appropriate services.

For each girl diagnosed with autism, more than four boys are diagnosed. However, many experts believe that this gap does not reflect the real number of autistic girls. Instead, this shows that the signs of this one in girls are often missed.

For example, if the language of a young girl is very advanced for her age, it could be a sign that she is on the spectrum. Many confuse this with an extremely gifted and intelligent girl. “Autistic girls generally have linguistic skills that may seem advanced for their age, which can ironically lead parents and teachers to neglect potential development concerns,” observes Ralph Moller, director of operations at Above & Beyond.

Black children in general tend to be diagnosed later than white children, but the delay is often even longer for black girls. Many are only diagnosed if they also have an intellectual disabilities, which means that black girls who are considered to be a “high functioning” or who have more subtle signs of autism are often neglected. These delays can prevent them from obtaining early intervention and support that could help them prosper.

Another problem is that many black girls mask or hide their difficulties to integrate. They can follow social rules, do well at school or stay silent, which makes adults more difficult to see that they have difficulties. Even after receiving a diagnosis, black girls often find it more difficult to get services such as therapy and tutoring.

Autistic black children are more likely to be diagnosed with intellectual disability (ID) (around 50%), compared to 32% of white children. This suggests that black children who have no intellectual disabilities and can have lighter symptoms of autism are sometimes overlooked. An article in the journal Pediatrics explores how symptoms that have an impact on the diagnosis deserve to be noted.

Behind all this, there are deep problems such as racism, biases and unfair systems. Many black families face challenges such as not having enough doctors in their region, not feeling heard by health workers or have trouble obtaining references to autism specialists. Some of these problems occur due to structural racism – systems that facilitate white families access to care, while making black families more difficult.

Although progress has been made in the diagnosis of autism in the black community, racial disparities persist. More work is necessary to ensure that all children, regardless of race or income, obtain the support they need from the start. According to Dr. Erin Vinoski Thomas, Associate Professor of Health Health Research, the reasons for these disparities are complex but deeply connected. She notes that the bias of health care providers is an important problem. “Health care providers are really not trained to provide culturally relevant care for disabled people, and that includes autistic people,” she said. “It has many interdependent factors, all kinds of things highlighted by systemic racism and systemic capacity working together.”

“Dr. Thomas and his team work to change this by integrating the training of disabilities and autism in the medical and nursing programs, as well as the continuous training offer to providers.

“Even if you have been practicing medicine for 30 years, you can still benefit from the training available today to shape the way you worry about disabled patients,” said Dr. Vinoski Thomas.

This is illustrated by the Georgia Statewide Disability and Health Program:

It offers training on health care providers to improve access to care for adults with intellectual disabilities and development (including autism). The Georgia State University Center for Leadership in Disability also manages programs like Ideal.

This inclusive post -secondary education initiative supports students with intellectual disability and students with ASD. This will help them succeed with tailor -made services and support. You can find out more about these programs here:

Georgia program on a state and health scale

Ideal (inclusive post -secondary education program)

Handicap leadership center

Additional resources:

CDC archives

Jama Network racial and ethnic disparities in geographic access to the resources of autism through the United States

Pediatrics: Timing of the diagnosis of autism in African-American children

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