James Donaldson on Mental Health - Why Do Black Children With Autism Get Diagnosed Late?

How can parents overcome these barriers to diagnosis and care?

The most important thing for parents to do is to educate themselves on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and continue to advocate for their child, advises Dr.

Foundations such as The Color of Autism and Autism in Black provide helpful information and support for the families of Black children with ASD.

And if their pediatrician advises against further evaluation, she wants families to know that they have every right to request the evaluation anyway.

“Because really, that determination of whether they need the support or not should be made by the Early Intervention team.” Each state has its own federally mandated Early Intervention program.

Pediatricians can refer patients for an evaluation, but parents can also go to their state’s Early Intervention website for more information on the process and to request an evaluation.

Parents should also be aware that they do not need a referral from their pediatrician to seek a medical diagnosis for their child.

Telesford, “A lot of families who I see have pediatricians who aren’t concerned.

But they’ve decided to seek help anyway.

So going to an agency outside of your PCP’s referral and outside of the school system, if you can access that, is something that’s also encouraged.