THE CAUSE: Highlighting racial disparities in diagnosis and treatment of autism during Autism Acceptance Month via Autism Connections who create a welcoming community for all individuals on the autism spectrum.
THE CHALLENGE: For every 5 miles of activity tracked between 4/16/23 and 4/30/23, we will donate $3 to Autism Connections. This challenge ends at 11:59 PM EST on 4/30/23. Submissions will be accepted until 5/1/2023 at 11:59 PM EST.
THE WHY: Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference in the brain that affects how people interact with others, learn, communicate, and behave. Autism exists in a spectrum affecting people to varying degrees. Some individuals may have no functional language and severe developmental delays while others may have average to above average language skills and IQ. Individuals on the autism spectrum may exhibit some degree of difficulty with social communication, adjusting to unexpected change, a love of repetition, unusually narrow interests, and hyper- or hypo-sensitivity to sensory information. Individuals on the spectrum may exhibit many of these behaviors or very few, or others behaviors not mentioned. The earlier intervention begins, the more dramatic a difference it can make in their lives. However, racial disparities exist in diagnosis, intervention, and access to appropriate services and supports.
Black children are 5 times more likely to be misdiagnosed with behavior disorders before being diagnosed with autism (Mandell et al, 2007). One study found Black children were not diagnosed with autism until 3 years after their parents first expressed concerns about their child’s development (Constantino et al, 2020) This is problematic because delays in diagnosis prevent children from receiving autism-specific interventions during an important developmental window. During Autism Acceptance Month, we move to help provide a scholarship for families to access interventions with Autism Connections.
Constantino JN, Abbacchi AM, Saulnier C, et al.. Timing of the diagnosis of autism in African American children. Pediatrics. 2020;146:e20193629
Donovon, J and Zucker, K. Children of color with autism face disparities of care and isolation. PBS News Hour. 2017 Feb. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/children-color-autism-face-disparities-care-isolation
Mandell DS, Ittenbach RF, Levy SE, Pinto-Martin JA. Disparities in diagnoses received prior to a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2007 Oct;37(9):1795-802. doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0314-8. Epub 2006 Dec 8. PMID: 17160456; PMCID: PMC2861330.
Molko, R. How Race and Ethnicity Affect Diagnosis, Treatment and Support for Autistic Children and Adults. Forbes, 2020 June. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2020/06/25/how-race-and-ethnicity-affect-diagnosis-treatment-and-support-for-autistic-children-and-adults/?sh=4a2846837f8b