Autism in Communities of Color
Last Reviewed Date: August 27, 2019
Attributing Author: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
Source: CDC.gov
Spotlight On: Racial and Ethnic Differences in Children Identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ADDM reports have consistently noted that more white children are identified with ASD than black or Hispanic children. Previous studies have shown that stigma, lack of access to healthcare services due to non-citizenship or low-income, and non-English primary language are potential barriers to identification of children with ASD especially among Hispanic children. A difference in identifying black and Hispanic children with ASD relative to white children means these children may not be getting the services they need to reach their full potential.
