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Race influences parent report of concerns about symptoms of autism spectrum disorder
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Race influences parent report of concerns about symptoms of autism spectrum disorder

Meghan Rose Donohue, Amber W Childs, Megan Richards and Diana L Robins
Autism : the international journal of research and practice, v 23(1), pp 100-111
Jan 2019
PMID: 29100475
url
https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317722030View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder - ethnology Humans Child, Preschool European Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data Infant Male Educational Status Autism Spectrum Disorder - psychology European Continental Ancestry Group - psychology African Americans - statistics & numerical data Parents - psychology Female Child Development Autism Spectrum Disorder - diagnosis African Americans - psychology
Racial differences in parent report of concerns about their child's development to healthcare providers may contribute to delayed autism spectrum disorder diagnoses in Black children. We tested the hypotheses that compared to White parents, Black parents of children with autism spectrum disorder would report fewer concerns about autism symptoms and would be more likely to report concerns about disruptive behaviors. A sample of 18- to 40-month-old toddlers ( N = 174) with autism spectrum disorder and their parent participated. After screening positive for autism spectrum disorder risk, but prior to a diagnostic evaluation, parents completed free-response questions soliciting concerns about their child's development. Parent responses were coded for the presence or the absence of 10 possible concerns, which were grouped into autism concerns (e.g. social and restricted and repetitive behavior concerns) or non-autism concerns (e.g. general developmental and disruptive behavior concerns). Compared to White parents, Black parents reported significantly fewer autism concerns and fewer social and restricted and repetitive behavior concerns. However, Black parents did not report significantly fewer non-autism concerns. Race did not influence parent report of disruptive behavior concerns. Lower reporting of autism concerns by Black parents may impact providers' abilities to identify children who need further screening or evaluation.

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95 citations in Scopus

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Psychology, Developmental
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