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How can we address racial disparities in autism care?
Racial diversity in autism care: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects people of all races, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds all over the world. However, race and ethnicity can profoundly influence the way people with autism are diagnosed and treated. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of autism has increased significantly. In 2023, the CDC estimated that 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While this data reflects improved access to diagnoses, it also reveals profound inequities. Racial diversity in autism is a fact. However, White children are more likely to be diagnosed at an early age, while Black, Hispanic, and other minority children get a diagnosis much later, or they even get diagnosed at all. This reality raises an urgent question: how can we address racial disparities in autism care?
In this ABA Centers of Florida article, we want to raise our voices on a crucial issue: racial diversity in autism care. It is critical to bring visibility to the racial barriers that many families face in accessing autism diagnostic and treatment services. We advocate for a system in which every child, regardless of skin color or ethnicity, has access to the care they need.
Factors Influencing Autism Diagnosis Rates
Several social, economic, and cultural factors influence the diagnosis of autism. For many families in African, Hispanic, Latino, and Asian communities, limited access to medical care, language barriers, and lack of awareness of the early signs of autism play a crucial role.
Inequity in education and access to adequate health services contribute to racial minority children receiving a diagnosis later. Cultural stigmas also play a role. In some communities, talking about conditions such as autism can be seen as taboo, preventing families from seeking help when symptoms first appear. These factors can delay early intervention, which is critical to improving developmental outcomes for a child with ASD.
However, with increasing awareness and acceptance of autism, it was not until 2020 that the ADDM Network found that the percentage of 8-year-olds identified with ASD was higher among Asian/Pacific Islander (A/PI) (33.4), Hispanic (31.6), and Black (29.3) children compared with White children (24.3).
Racial Barriers in Autism Care
In addition to inequalities in diagnosis, we can also see this problem in access to quality treatment. Although clinicians can detect autism in children as young as 12 to 14 months and receive an official diagnosis by age 2, the average age remains between 4 and 7 years. A study by the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics found that this delay is more pronounced in children from rural, racial/ethnic minority, and low-income backgrounds. This finding shows that children from these communities are less likely to receive high-quality early interventions compared to White children.
According to research shared by Autism Speaks, Black children are less likely to receive behavioral therapies, such as ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) therapy, which is crucial for improving social and communication skills. According to the study, Black children are more likely to receive a diagnosis of autism if they have an intellectual disability (ID), meaning that Black children without ID and with less severe autism traits are more likely not to receive a diagnosis. In the State of Florida, where racial diversity is significant – with 53% of the population being Hispanic or Black – these disparities are further exacerbated, particularly in areas with limited resources.
Here are some racial barriers in autism care:
- Lack of Cultural Competent Care: One of the reasons for racial disparity in autism care is the lack of healthcare professionals trained in culturally competent care. Professionals who are unaware of cultural differences may misinterpret certain behaviors, leading to incorrect diagnoses or inappropriate treatment. In addition, the lack of racial representation in the mental and behavioral health field can leave minority families feeling misunderstood or unsupported.
- Access to Care: Several studies have shown that African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American individuals, among other minorities, encounter significant barriers to accessing health care services compared to White individuals. Racial barriers in autism care range from lack of insurance coverage, transportation difficulties, lack of culturally competent providers, and stigma associated with neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Quality Care: Racial diversity in autism care encounters barriers to accessing quality care when minority children receive later diagnoses, preventing them from accessing early interventions that enhance the outcomes of ABA therapy due to the neuroplasticity of the brain at this stage of life. In addition, studies support that Black and Hispanic children are less likely to receive specialized autism services.
- Misdiagnosis: African American children, in particular, are more prone to getting a misdiagnosis with certain mental health conditions rather than receiving a diagnosis of ASD compared to White individuals. Failure to obtain an accurate diagnosis can result in inappropriate interventions that do not benefit the individual.
- Language and Communication: Language barriers can pose an additional challenge for families when accessing healthcare providers and consulting about their child’s development. By failing to obtain professional guidance about their child’s diagnosis and treatment steps, many families are unable to provide the support their loved ones need.
Addressing Racial Diversity in Autism Care
Inclusion and equity in autism care is not only a responsibility of health care professionals but of society as a whole. Addressing racial diversity in autism care requires a comprehensive, individual, and systemic approach, including:
1. Train Healthcare Professionals: It is critical to train healthcare professionals in cultural competency, ensuring that they understand the challenges and different manifestations of autism in diverse communities
2. Raise Awareness: Health organizations and local governments should also collaborate to increase awareness in underserved communities about the early signs of autism and the importance of early diagnosis. Community initiatives, education programs, and accessible resources in multiple languages can reduce barriers and close the gap in access to care.
3. Work with the Community: Engaging the Black, Latino, and Asian communities in initiatives that promote acceptance of autism spectrum disorder can help share valuable information for individuals with autism and their families. Whether through community organizations, churches, or other local institutions, engaging communities can help promote racial diversity in autism care.
4. Lower Racial Barriers in Autism Care: Knowing and identifying racial barriers in autism care can help advocates raise awareness about the difficulties families face in accessing timely autism diagnosis and treatment. Promoting racial diversity in autism care can include advocating for health care disparities and better access to culturally competent services.
ABA Centers of Florida Supports Racial Diversity in Autism Care
Racial diversity in autism care is a complex and urgent issue that requires attention. Behind the statistics are thousands of children from minority communities who are receiving a diagnosis later than they should and not accessing the appropriate services they need to thrive.
As we move toward a more equitable healthcare system, professionals, educators, and advocates must come together to break barriers that prevent fair access to autism diagnosis and treatment for all children, regardless of race.
At ABA Centers of Florida, we promote autism acceptance in all communities and provide resources, services, and opportunities to create a support network for all families with autism in Doral, Miramar, Jensen Beach, Tampa, Orlando, Boca Raton, and other areas of Florida. Every day, we work to improve the quality of autism services, decreasing the waiting time for a diagnosis and access to ABA therapy. In addition, we have a team of culturally competent behavioral health professionals to help your loved one reach their full potential regardless of their skin color and cultural background. Contact us at (772) 773-1975 or on our website to begin your journey for autism support.
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