The Developmental Process of Parent Advocacy for Black Mothers of Children on the Autism Spectrum

• In Event: Autism and Intersectionality: Varying Perspectives in Research

Abstract

Autism research offers a monocultural understanding of how autism impacts family development with its primary focus on White middle-class families. The experiences of Black mothers are either absent or presented from a deficit point of view ignoring the long-standing advocacy work from this population. To better understand this advocacy work, we conducted empirical investigations to explore and understand the pathway of Black mothers becoming autism parent advocates. Findings include three key phases of development that occur over time for Black mothers to cultivate their advocacy for their children and for families they coach in their communities. Implications for educational systems to better support inclusion and access to special education services for Black children on the autism spectrum are discussed.

Author

• Elizabeth Holliday Morgan, California State University - Sacramento