Autism Diagnosis Often Occurs Later for Black Children

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My son was given a diagnosis of autism by a school Occupational Therapist at age 3, by a school psychologist at age 8. Medically, at age 3 he had a severe communication disorder which would be manifested in a learning disability, according to a neurologist who was right on the money. He was treated behaviorally, there is no brain scan or chemical test that proves autism. Unfortunately, he was dyslexic. School didn't do a God Blessed thing about that, just treated him as crazy and lazy.
Be thankful more black kids aren't being given a label of mental illness when they may just be wired different. I kid you not, it's a blessing in disguise.

usethebrainsgodgiveyou of GA 7:19AM February 23, 2012

For several years I was a teacher with the early intervention program, birth to three in a predominantly Black community with about 90% of the students receiving Title 1, which means they are economically challenged. By the time a child is 18 months old, it is becomes more noticeable that the child is not meeting their developmental milestones, not making proper eye-contact, smiling, talking to their moms as well as other signs and parents become concerned. There are many medical-related programs and resources that are available in the community that helps parents with scheduling doctor appointments and giving parents assistance in meeting the needs of these children, and many of these programs are at little or no cost to the parent if they meet the economic guidelines. It's mostly about the parent seeking out assistance to meet these needs. The Early Intervention program in Detroit works with parents in the homes and because of the training and resources made available to the staff, we pass on our knowledge and connections to the parents in our community. Black parents are parents just like their white counterparts and they care about their children, they need to be connected to the resources available to them in their community in order to receive the early intervention required for the autistic child.

Wanda Leverette of MI 7:13AM February 23, 2012

Intervention does not "need to start around age 3". It needs to start as soon as symptoms are observed and the diagnosis is suspected. If at 18 months symptoms are observed, i.e. a child does not respond to her name, does not point and makes limited eye contact, why wait till three? Think about how much a child knows by three. This is actually late to start treatment.

Edna Garces of NY 10:15PM February 21, 2012