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Racial Inequalities in Autism Diagnosis

According to a recent study conducted in states throughout the US, non-white individuals are not receiving a proper diagnosis of autism. "Among 4,498 children, 1,135 (25%) had ASD indicators without having an ASD diagnosis. Of those 1,135 children without a documented ASD diagnosis, 628 (55%) were not known to receive ASD services in public school." This is very concerning as they will not receive vital services which predisposes them to mental health issues and of course psychiatric medications when individuals are more vulnerable to some of the side effects. The underserved end up at Medicaid clinics where professionals are not given adequate time to perform adequate assessments, where quantity trumps quality resulting in underdiagnosis. Autism Research, "Disparities in Documented Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Demographic, Individual, and Service Factors" https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aur.2255