Disparities Among African Americans with Autism
by W.R. Brown
Autism is a complicated neurodevelopmental disorder now affecting 1 in 150 children at an early age, and is expected to last a lifetime. Autism can often be diagnosed in children as young as 18 months old, and affects every race, ethnic group and socio-economic status. A child with autism will show different behaviors than typical developing children. Parents become concerned that their child may lack eye contact, be deaf, is not yet talking, resists cuddling, needs repetitive routines, have repetitive interests, and avoids interacting with others. These behaviors may begin shortly after birth or develop as a child grows older. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Mental retardation is commonly associated with autism. Epilepsy may also develop in some cases.
Healthcare, African-Americans and autism
There are clear racial disparities in healthcare and special education, parents and caregivers must help arrest to ensure a brighter future for our loved ones with autism. Studies have consistently reported negative biases toward minorities in the areas of diagnosis and treatment. Black autistic children were diagnosed later, received more misdiagnoses than Whites, and were more likely to be misdiagnosed as having organic psychoses, mental retardation, or selective mutism. Clinicians may interpret autism symptoms differently in children of different races.
African-Americans are less likely than Whites to see the same doctor over time. A pediatrician who treats a child over time may recognize autism sooner than others may. All children with autism are eligible to receive a free appropriate public education, services provided by your state, behavioral treatments and enrollment in a classroom geared toward their condition. Early diagnosis and early intervention is critical for a better prognosis. Minority families and families with lower incomes or limited education had more difficulty entering the early intervention system.
National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study
The probability of parents having a second child with autism is 1 in 20.
Excerpts from Race Differences in the Age at Diagnosis Among Medicaid-Eligible Children with Autism, David S. Mandell, Sc.D., John Listerud, M.D., Ph.D.
Special Education, African-Americans and autism
Minority children with disabilities all too often experience inadequate services, low-quality curriculum and instruction, unnecessary isolation from their nondisabled peers and hardship. African-American students are about twice as likely as White students to be educated in a restrictive, and separate educational setting. Minority disabled students also have much higher rates of school disciplinary action.
African-American Adults with Disabilities
Among high school students with disabilities, about 75% of African-Americans are not employed two years out of school. Three to five years out of school, the arrest rate for African-Americans with disabilities is 40%. Minority disabled students also have much higher rates of placement in correctional facilities.
Excerpts from Racial Inequity in Special Education, 2002, Daniel J. Losen & Gary Orfield, Editors, Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.
What can we do to help overturn these disparities? We can start this process today by taking six powerful steps to overturn these disparities and help African Americans with autism reach their full potential. Be persistent! Parents and caregivers must be persistent and get their child's healthcare providers to listen and act in response to your concerns. Know your child's rights! Learn about the federal special education laws and state regulations which exist to ensure your child with a disability receives an Individualized Education Plan and related services they can benefit from in the least restrictive environment. Seek help! There are advocacy groups and educational advocates accessible to help you get a "free appropriate public education" that every child with autism is legally entitled to. Access any needed supports and services provided by your state. Join a national autism organization. There is power in numbers. Our voices can and will be heard within a powerful group message.
Get involved! Attend local parent support group meetings to learn what issues are important to persons with autism and their families, and what steps are necessary to address them. Start networking with other parents.
Take action! Write or call on local and congressional lawmakers to report your issues and concerns. Make them alert to how autism affects your child and family.
Autism is not hopeless, and parents are not helpless.
We can learn about important issues, advocate for our loved ones and cause immediate reform and better outcomes for all persons with autism.
Resources
Click here for practical ways to help, plan and manage daily living with autism. African Americans and Autism Disparities in Health Disparities in Special Education Autism Society of America provides advocacy, information and support. The information referral hotline is 1 (800) 3-AUTISM.
National Autism Association offers information, including the most current research, and helps to fund critical research to find the cause of autism.
Autism Research Institute and Defeat Autism Now! or DAN!, the Neuro-Immune Dysfunction Syndromes Research Institute or NIDS and the Pfeiffer Treatment Center provide treatment options, each with their own protocols.
Learn more about autism-related issues and take political action with the parent-led organization, A-CHAMP. The book Covenant With Black America outlines ways to address challenging issues facing African-Americans today, like health and education.
About this author
W.R. Brown is wife, mother, grandmother, volunteer, presenter at parent support groups, member autism support groups, national autism organizations, former legal assistant, service coordinator, and served as Board member to non-profit organizations, autism Advisory Groups, and appeared on Cable 6 TV, XM Radio One, Tavis Smiley Radio, CNN Radio and WDIG Radio.
© Copyright 2006-2007. All rights reserved. Please feel free to publish this article on your web site and/or in your e-book or newsletters without any changes to the article, the authors resource information at the end of the article remains intact, and the links are live (clickable). Please e-mail a link to your site where the article is posted.
by W.R. Brown
Autism is a complicated neurodevelopmental disorder now affecting 1 in 150 children at an early age, and is expected to last a lifetime. Autism can often be diagnosed in children as young as 18 months old, and affects every race, ethnic group and socio-economic status. A child with autism will show different behaviors than typical developing children. Parents become concerned that their child may lack eye contact, be deaf, is not yet talking, resists cuddling, needs repetitive routines, have repetitive interests, and avoids interacting with others. These behaviors may begin shortly after birth or develop as a child grows older. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Mental retardation is commonly associated with autism. Epilepsy may also develop in some cases.
Healthcare, African-Americans and autism
There are clear racial disparities in healthcare and special education, parents and caregivers must help arrest to ensure a brighter future for our loved ones with autism. Studies have consistently reported negative biases toward minorities in the areas of diagnosis and treatment. Black autistic children were diagnosed later, received more misdiagnoses than Whites, and were more likely to be misdiagnosed as having organic psychoses, mental retardation, or selective mutism. Clinicians may interpret autism symptoms differently in children of different races.
African-Americans are less likely than Whites to see the same doctor over time. A pediatrician who treats a child over time may recognize autism sooner than others may. All children with autism are eligible to receive a free appropriate public education, services provided by your state, behavioral treatments and enrollment in a classroom geared toward their condition. Early diagnosis and early intervention is critical for a better prognosis. Minority families and families with lower incomes or limited education had more difficulty entering the early intervention system.
National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study
The probability of parents having a second child with autism is 1 in 20.
Excerpts from Race Differences in the Age at Diagnosis Among Medicaid-Eligible Children with Autism, David S. Mandell, Sc.D., John Listerud, M.D., Ph.D.
Special Education, African-Americans and autism
Minority children with disabilities all too often experience inadequate services, low-quality curriculum and instruction, unnecessary isolation from their nondisabled peers and hardship. African-American students are about twice as likely as White students to be educated in a restrictive, and separate educational setting. Minority disabled students also have much higher rates of school disciplinary action.
African-American Adults with Disabilities
Among high school students with disabilities, about 75% of African-Americans are not employed two years out of school. Three to five years out of school, the arrest rate for African-Americans with disabilities is 40%. Minority disabled students also have much higher rates of placement in correctional facilities.
Excerpts from Racial Inequity in Special Education, 2002, Daniel J. Losen & Gary Orfield, Editors, Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.
What can we do to help overturn these disparities? We can start this process today by taking six powerful steps to overturn these disparities and help African Americans with autism reach their full potential. Be persistent! Parents and caregivers must be persistent and get their child's healthcare providers to listen and act in response to your concerns. Know your child's rights! Learn about the federal special education laws and state regulations which exist to ensure your child with a disability receives an Individualized Education Plan and related services they can benefit from in the least restrictive environment. Seek help! There are advocacy groups and educational advocates accessible to help you get a "free appropriate public education" that every child with autism is legally entitled to. Access any needed supports and services provided by your state. Join a national autism organization. There is power in numbers. Our voices can and will be heard within a powerful group message.
Get involved! Attend local parent support group meetings to learn what issues are important to persons with autism and their families, and what steps are necessary to address them. Start networking with other parents.
Take action! Write or call on local and congressional lawmakers to report your issues and concerns. Make them alert to how autism affects your child and family.
Autism is not hopeless, and parents are not helpless.
We can learn about important issues, advocate for our loved ones and cause immediate reform and better outcomes for all persons with autism.
Resources
Click here for practical ways to help, plan and manage daily living with autism. African Americans and Autism Disparities in Health Disparities in Special Education Autism Society of America provides advocacy, information and support. The information referral hotline is 1 (800) 3-AUTISM.
National Autism Association offers information, including the most current research, and helps to fund critical research to find the cause of autism.
Autism Research Institute and Defeat Autism Now! or DAN!, the Neuro-Immune Dysfunction Syndromes Research Institute or NIDS and the Pfeiffer Treatment Center provide treatment options, each with their own protocols.
Learn more about autism-related issues and take political action with the parent-led organization, A-CHAMP. The book Covenant With Black America outlines ways to address challenging issues facing African-Americans today, like health and education.
About this author
W.R. Brown is wife, mother, grandmother, volunteer, presenter at parent support groups, member autism support groups, national autism organizations, former legal assistant, service coordinator, and served as Board member to non-profit organizations, autism Advisory Groups, and appeared on Cable 6 TV, XM Radio One, Tavis Smiley Radio, CNN Radio and WDIG Radio.
© Copyright 2006-2007. All rights reserved. Please feel free to publish this article on your web site and/or in your e-book or newsletters without any changes to the article, the authors resource information at the end of the article remains intact, and the links are live (clickable). Please e-mail a link to your site where the article is posted.
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A ministry of New Abundant and Everlasting Life Ministries, Inc.
A ministry of New Abundant and Everlasting Life Ministries, Inc.