Overrepresentation in Early Education: A Multistate Profile of Asian American Students With Autism Identification

• In Event: Representations and Understandings of Asian American and Pacific Islander Youth Success in Education

Abstract

Currently in the United States, there is an anomalous overrepresentation of Asian American students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in K-12 public education. The purpose of this study is to expand on current autism prevalence and disproportionality research for early education Asian American students in eight states. The results demonstrated the increased rate of ASD prevalence in Asian American students, a population typically underrepresented in conversations pertaining to disproportionality research, in each of four geographic area of the United States. The analysis of findings considers the cultural implications of racial disproportionality in autism identification for educators, families, and students alike.

Authors

• Trisha Sugita, Chapman University

• Anne J. Steketee, Millikin University