Comparing Autism Spectrum Disorders Prevalence Among Somali, Black Non-Somali, Caucasian, and Hispanic Children in Minneapolis

• In Event: Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: Are We Identifying the Right Students for Special Education? Emerging Directions in Disproportionality Research

Abstract

1. Objectives

The Minneapolis Somali Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevalence Project was developed to determine if more Somali children aged 7-9 had autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than non-Somali children in Minneapolis. Specific questions addressed included; (a) was the prevalence of ASD among Somali children aged 7 through 9 years significantly different from non-Somali children in 2010? (b) Were children of Somali descent with ASD more likely to be identified by school data sources rather than clinic data sources when compared with children with ASD who were not of Somali? (c) Were children of Somali descent more likely to have an ASD classification identified in existing health and school records than children who were not of Somali descent? (d) Were children of Somali descent more likely to be classified with ASD at a later age than children not of Somali descent? and (e) were children with ASD and of Somali descent more likely to have intellectual disability than children with ASD who were not of Somali descent?

2. Perspective

The study was undertaken as a result of community concerns about ASD in the Somali community. In 2008, Somali parents and others in Minneapolis expressed concerns to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) about what appeared to be more Somali children enrolled in Minneapolis Public Schools’ preschool special education program serving children with ASD compared to the overall percentage of Somali children enrolled in the city’s public schools. MDH shared the community’s concerns and examined Minneapolis administrative data for preschool-age children enrolled in this program. Subsequently, a request was made by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) that federal agencies support prevalence study ASD in Minneapolis. The CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Autism Speaks, University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration, and the Minnesota Department of Health provided funding. This is the largest project to date that looked at the number and characteristics of Somali children with ASD in any U.S.

3. Method and Data Source

Project activities included a review of school and medical records and a review of reviewed records to determine if the child met criteria for ASD.

4. Results

Results indicated that Somali and White children in Minneapolis were about equally likely to be identified with autism spectrum disorder. Somali and White children were more likely to be identified with autism spectrum disorder than Black and Hispanic children. Overall, about 1 in 48 children aged 7-9 years in 2010 were identified as having autism spectrum disorder in Minneapolis. The Somali estimate of 1 in 32 compares to 1 in 36 White children, 1 in 62 Black children and 1 in 80 Hispanic children.

5. Scholarly Significance

These results suggest that disparities exist with respect to ASD as a function of race. Potential contributors will be discussed along with the importance of community engagement in conducting prevalence studies and providing necessary information to enhance assessment and intervention activities.

Author

• Joseph Reichle, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities