He'll Be Fine: Parent and Professional Experiences Supporting African American Children With Autism

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 18
  In Roundtable Session: Intersections of Family and School

Abstract

While the identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has stabilized at 1 in 59 children in the United States, and children can now be diagnosed reliably at younger ages, African American children are less likely to be diagnosed with ASD. Once African American children with ASD are identified, there is a latency between diagnosis and access to services when compared to European American children. This qualitative study explored the experiences and perceptions of parents and professionals who support African American children with ASD. Findings indicate that (a) participants identified few facilitators to service access, and (b) parents and healthcare providers perceived similar barriers and facilitators to early diagnoses and service access. Implications for parents, healthcare providers, and educators are discussed.

Author

• Jamie Pearson, North Carolina State University