Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. While autism is a condition that affects individuals of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, there is a significant lack of representation and understanding when it comes to the experiences of black autistic individuals. As Black History Month is among us, it is important to recognize and consider the experiences of black autistic individuals in the world.
As written in The Scholarly Neglect of Black Autistic Adults in Autism Research, "Black children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are diagnosed later than their White peers, are more likely to be misdiagnosed, and are less likely to receive early intervention services or a developmental evaluation by three years old."
Recent studies have shown that black autistic individuals are often misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed due to systemic biases in the medical community and a lack of culturally competent care. This can lead to delayed diagnoses and access to resources and support, exacerbating the challenges faced by black autistic individuals and their families. It is also important to note that they often face unique challenges within the larger black community. For example, some black/minority parents may be hesitant to seek a diagnosis for their child due to stigma and a lack of understanding about autism within their community. Additionally, black autistic individuals may face challenges related to systemic racism and discrimination, which can impact their mental and physical health and overall quality of life.
Despite these challenges, similar to all individuals on the spectrum, black autistic individuals are a diverse and resilient group with unique strengths and perspectives.
In order to better support and empower black autistic individuals, it is important to increase representation and visibility within the autism community, provide culturally competent care and resources, and address the systemic barriers that are faced. This includes addressing issues related to stigma, misdiagnosis, and discrimination within both the autism community and the larger black community.
One major way to do this is through advocacy and education. By raising awareness about the experiences of black autistic individuals, we can help to break down barriers and create a more inclusive and supportive community for all. This can also help to dispel common myths and misconceptions about autism, and increase understanding and acceptance within the black community.
As Black History Month and Valentine's Day are among us, we have created a fundraising campaign to raise awareness and inclusivity. We plan to provide special gift boxes with various items for autistic individuals and their families. You can read more about our campaign in the link below.
Spotlight
Let's celebrate some autistic individuals in the black community:
Armani Williams is a professional NASCAR racing driver and uses his racing career as a platform to draw awareness and acceptance to Autism.
Dr. Sarai Pahla
Dr. Pahla is an MD and a freelance medical translator who was born in Zimbabwe, grew up in South Africa, and living in Düsseldorf, Germany. She was diagnosed as an adult, and has chosen to become an autism self-advocate to increase awareness.
Stephen Wiltshire is an artist who draws detailed, life-like cityscapes.
Known as the Autism Pastor, Lamar is a disability advocate, pastor, and author utilizing his platforms to share his story and assist in creating awareness and acceptance for people with disabilities.
***Blind Tom Wiggins***
Blind Tom Wiggins was a musical prodigy and pianist who lived in the 19th century, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of music. He is not known to have been diagnosed with autism during his lifetime. However, some of his behaviors and abilities have been compared to autistic individuals, such as his exceptional musical abilities and remarkable memory, with the ability to play music after just hearing it once. Despite his musical prowess, Blind Tom faced many challenges throughout his life, including exploitation by those who sought to profit from his talents. He was often forced to perform for long hours and was not paid fairly for his work.
***It is important to note that autism was not officially recognized as a condition until the 20th century. As a result, it is possible that some individuals who lived in the past that exhibited autistic characteristics were not diagnosed or recognized as being on the spectrum during their lifetime.
References
Kayla M. Malone, Jamie N. Pearson, Kayla N. Palazzo, Lonnie D. Manns, Amelia Q. Rivera, and DeVoshia L. Mason Martin.The Scholarly Neglect of Black Autistic Adults in Autism Research.Autism in Adulthood.Dec 2022.271-280.