Information & Statistics
Autism Spectrum Disorder is often defined by certain, very distinct, characteristics. These characteristics include difficulties with social interactions, trouble with communication, behavioral challenges, and, of course, whiteness. These have all become socially accepted qualities that are associated with ASD, but why? Why is it that we have come to recognize Autism as being predominantly applicable to one specific race, when it is clearly more widely prevalent? The underdiagnosing of Black Autistic people is one integral piece of this puzzle.
In 2007, a study by a team at the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, found that African-American children were 5.1 times more likely to be misdiagnosed with conduct disorders before being diagnosed with ASD.
Black Children Are Often Overlooked When It Comes To Autism
Similarly….
White children are about 19 percent more likely than Black children to be diagnosed with Autism.
Race, class contribute to disparities in Autism diagnoses
So, what does this mean?
It means that, simply put, Black children are less likely than their white peers to have an Autism diagnosis.
It is no secret that the practices of misdiagnosing and underdiagnosing autistic people are more prevalent in those who are black, but it is also important to look past the statistics, and understand the lived experiences of those who are affected.
