As an advocate and voice on public policy issues, When I think about Autism I see it as a disorder characterized by difficulty in communicating, forming relationships and a limited ability to read the language, social cues, and abstract concepts. It doesn't care if your rich or poor, Republican or Democrat or if your African American, White, Latino or Asian. In the 1980s, about 1 in every 2000 kids was diagnosed with Autism. Today that number is around 1 in 64. Despite the fact that the number of people diagnosed with Autism is skyrocketing, there are significant racial disparities in how communities are approaching the issues, particularly in regards to the African American community.
For Example, Police officers, who respond to an African American individual with Autism on the street, are usually unprepared to handle such encounters, and physicians also have a hard time even diagnosing autism in black children.
According to the CDC most children diagnosed with Autism are diagnosed around age 2 but research has determined that many African American children with Autism are diagnosed as much as 2-3 years later than those of other demographics.
When African American parents take their kids to the pediatrician after having suspicions their concerns are often pushed aside as oh their just quiet, they'll be fine or "they're just a late bloomer"
There is significant harm done via late diagnoses and numerous clinical research studies have shown that the first two years of a child’s life are a crucial stage in brain development.Children are learning many basic social skills such as engaging in conversations and play and, early intervention has shown to alleviate some of the effects of an autism diagnosis. The other issue beyond late diagnoses is African Americans with Autism are far less likely to be referred to Specialists. This often results in a misdiagnosis such as ADHD, Bipolar or Conduct disorder. The evident systemic biases are becoming more and more of a hindrance to agencies working to build effective systems of care for individuals with Autism.
All of these discrepancies are indicative of the larger issue that Autism spectrum disorder is seen as a condition exhibited by caucasian individuals. The vast majority of studies are done in regards to Caucasian children and one is hard pressed to find any studies that address Autism from the perspective of communities of color. The lack of empirical data on the topic has left many parents and caregivers without anywhere to go when searching for treatment options and behavioral interventions that meet their child's needs and respect cultural boundaries.
With the lack of information currently provided in regards to the black community and with so little awareness in our society about how the increase in the number of people living with Autism is impacting communities across cultural l lines,It really isn't a surprise that law enforcement has almost no idea on how to interact with individuals with Autism and go out and create explosive encounters such as that of Marcus Abrams, Tario Anderson or even myself.
Most Law enforcement agencies don't go out with the intention of declaring it Open season on autistic people.They simply don’t understand them They don't understand that people with Autism are prone to wander and at times are unable to process verbal cues or even communicate their name or address. They don’t understand how an individual can appear normal and yet exhibit severe social and or emotional deficits in regards in some areas and yet conduct classical logic problems at 12. They don't see the potential for tragedy and thus don't see the need for specialized techniques. It's reminiscent of the larger problem that many in general don't understand ASD. This is magnified in the black community where racial and class bias potentially play a role in the way families of color are treated by law enforcement. In a lot of these cases, you can't help but wonder. If he was white 5'8 170lbs and Autistic would they have responded in that way?
There needs to be more access to healthcare, tutors and therapeutic techniques in regards to law enforcement and above all there needs to be more awareness, sensitivity, and inclusion towards individuals on the spectrum who are African American because ALL people with autism deserve to be given the opportunity to live the most fulfilling life possible
For Example, Police officers, who respond to an African American individual with Autism on the street, are usually unprepared to handle such encounters, and physicians also have a hard time even diagnosing autism in black children.
According to the CDC most children diagnosed with Autism are diagnosed around age 2 but research has determined that many African American children with Autism are diagnosed as much as 2-3 years later than those of other demographics.
When African American parents take their kids to the pediatrician after having suspicions their concerns are often pushed aside as oh their just quiet, they'll be fine or "they're just a late bloomer"
There is significant harm done via late diagnoses and numerous clinical research studies have shown that the first two years of a child’s life are a crucial stage in brain development.Children are learning many basic social skills such as engaging in conversations and play and, early intervention has shown to alleviate some of the effects of an autism diagnosis. The other issue beyond late diagnoses is African Americans with Autism are far less likely to be referred to Specialists. This often results in a misdiagnosis such as ADHD, Bipolar or Conduct disorder. The evident systemic biases are becoming more and more of a hindrance to agencies working to build effective systems of care for individuals with Autism.
All of these discrepancies are indicative of the larger issue that Autism spectrum disorder is seen as a condition exhibited by caucasian individuals. The vast majority of studies are done in regards to Caucasian children and one is hard pressed to find any studies that address Autism from the perspective of communities of color. The lack of empirical data on the topic has left many parents and caregivers without anywhere to go when searching for treatment options and behavioral interventions that meet their child's needs and respect cultural boundaries.
With the lack of information currently provided in regards to the black community and with so little awareness in our society about how the increase in the number of people living with Autism is impacting communities across cultural l lines,It really isn't a surprise that law enforcement has almost no idea on how to interact with individuals with Autism and go out and create explosive encounters such as that of Marcus Abrams, Tario Anderson or even myself. Most Law enforcement agencies don't go out with the intention of declaring it Open season on autistic people.They simply don’t understand them They don't understand that people with Autism are prone to wander and at times are unable to process verbal cues or even communicate their name or address. They don’t understand how an individual can appear normal and yet exhibit severe social and or emotional deficits in regards in some areas and yet conduct classical logic problems at 12. They don't see the potential for tragedy and thus don't see the need for specialized techniques. It's reminiscent of the larger problem that many in general don't understand ASD. This is magnified in the black community where racial and class bias potentially play a role in the way families of color are treated by law enforcement. In a lot of these cases, you can't help but wonder. If he was white 5'8 170lbs and Autistic would they have responded in that way?
There needs to be more access to healthcare, tutors and therapeutic techniques in regards to law enforcement and above all there needs to be more awareness, sensitivity, and inclusion towards individuals on the spectrum who are African American because ALL people with autism deserve to be given the opportunity to live the most fulfilling life possible
