Racial and ethnic disparities in quality of health care among children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

The team asked parents how good their child’s health care felt. They compared answers from Black, Latino, and White families who had kids with autism or other delays.

Parents rated things like how well doctors listened and how easy it was to get referrals. The survey was done across the United States.

Black and Latino children got lower-quality care than White children. The gap was biggest for kids with autism.

Parents of color reported more rushed visits, less information, and harder access to specialists.

Strunz et al. (2015) ran the same survey three years later and found the gaps had not closed. This direct replication shows the problem is stuck.

Barton et al. (2019) and Mendez et al. (2024) extend the finding: Black children start autism treatment later and are only half as likely to receive Part C Early Intervention.

Rosales et al. (2021) gives the parent voice behind the numbers. Latino families say language barriers and low service awareness keep them out of ABA clinics.

Your caseload may look diverse, but access may not be equal. Check each family’s referral path, wait time, and provider match on Monday. If a Black or Latino child has thin files or late start dates, push for earlier authorizations and bilingual materials. Equity is an active treatment target, not a side note.