A New Distinct Website for Families Living with Autism
Middletown, NY (BlackNews.com) - With 1 in 166 children
diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and 1 in 6 children
diagnosed with a developmental disorder and/or behavioral problem, many
families may not know what to do or where to go for help. A new website
AutismConcepts.com created by an African-American family raising an
adolescent child with autism, shares credible and relevant information
with other families.
The Internet is an easy and convenient way for parents to meet, share
their experiences and other information. In addition to the usual facts
found on autism-related websites, AutismConcepts.com also shares
information, research and resources related to African Americans,
directly linking to the source.
Research has revealed disparities in early detection of autism,
treatment and special education:
-- African-American children with autism are diagnosed nearly two
years after children of all other ethnic groups. Black autistic children
received more misdiagnoses than Whites. Early diagnosis and intervention
leads to a better way of life for children with autism. Excerpts from
Race Differences in the Age at Diagnosis Among Medicaid-Eligible
Children with Autism, David S. Mandell, Sc.D., John Listerud, M.D.,
Ph.D.
-- Minority children with disabilities all too often experience
inadequate services, low-quality curriculum and instruction, and
unnecessary isolation from their nondisabled peers. Moreover,
inappropriate practices in both general and special education classrooms
have resulted in overrepresentation, misclassification, and hardship for
minority students, particularly black children.
-- African American and Latino students are about twice as likely as
white students to be educated in a restrictive, and separate educational
setting.
-- Among high school students with disabilities, about 75% of African
Americans are not employed two years out of school. Three to five years
out of school, the arrest rate for African Americans with disabilities
is 40%. Minority disabled students also have much higher rates of school
disciplinary action and placement in correctional facilities.
Excerpts from Racial Inequity in Special Education, 2002, Daniel J.
Losen & Gary Orfield, Editors, Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.
"Serious changes for reform must be made so that all people with autism
can live up to their fullest potential. Autism is not hopeless and
parents are not helpless. We can learn about important issues and how to
advocate for our loved ones to make immediate changes for a better
outcome," says mother, Wanda Brown.
AutismConcepts.com is a large collection of basic information of
vital interest to families to help empower, support, network and inform.
For additional information on the news that is the subject of this
release, contact Wanda Brown at 845-978-3182 or visit
www.autismconcepts.com
About ASD Concepts, LLC
ASD Concepts, LLC is a new business formed by a sibling of an individual
diagnosed with autism, after identifying a need in minority communities
for parent and sibling support, networking, information and practical
strategies to help manage day-to-day living with autism, by way of
AutismConcepts.com, a non-commercial website.
