Screening, Diagnosis, and Intervention for Autism: Experiences of Black and Multiracial Families Seeking Care.
Black and multiracial families face provider dismissal and cultural gaps that delay autism diagnosis—close the gap with early, respectful, full evaluations.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team asked 400 Black and multiracial families about their path to an autism diagnosis.
They used an online survey. Parents told them when they first worried, when they got a diagnosis, and what got in the way.
What they found
Three big barriers showed up. First, doctors often brushed off parent concerns. Second, families could not find services near them. Third, providers did not understand Black and multiracial culture.
These gaps added months, sometimes years, to the wait for help.
How this fits with other research
McKenzie et al. (2015) saw the same problem earlier. Their small interviews also found that doctors dismissed Black parents. The new survey proves the pattern is wide, not rare.
Thompson Brown et al. (2026) looked deeper at the evaluation itself. They found Black children often get short, low-quality tests. Put together, the story is clear: families are ignored, then given weak evaluations.
Montiel-Nava et al. (2024) ran a similar survey in Latin America. Parents there also waited two extra years. The delay looks global, but the reasons differ by place and race.
Why it matters
You can act right now. When a Black or multiracial parent voices concern, listen first and screen early. Use full, autism-specific tools, not brief checklists. Build trust by asking about family values and linking them to local support groups.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Add one extra questioncreening question: 'What worries you most about your child's development?' Then schedule the full autism evaluation without delay.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
PURPOSE: Despite advances in screening and awareness, Black and multiracial families continue to experience challenges when seeking an autism diagnosis for their children. METHODS: We surveyed 400 Black and multiracial families of young children with autism from an existing research database in the United States about their retrospective diagnostic experiences. We gathered quantitative and qualitative data and engaged in iterative coding to understand timing and content of first concerns, families' experiences of care providers and systems, and the impact of race and culture on accessing care. RESULTS: Families provided examples of early developmental concern and described provider, systemic, and cultural barriers and facilitators to care. Families also provided insight into the influence of culture and made recommendations on how the medical system could better care for Black and multiracial families of children with autism. CONCLUSIONS: Results add to a growing body of literature supporting the need for culturally sensitive and accessible care related to developmental monitoring, diagnosis, and follow-up care for Black and multiracial children.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2024 · doi:10.1097/dbp.0000000000000695