Stigma and Service Utilization around Autism Spectrum Disorder in Underrepresented Ethnoracial Minority Groups

Numerous services and interventions are available to support families affected by autism spectrum disorders, However, there are many inequities present in the different households of autistic children or adults, with several factors related to these inequities in different racial or ethnic groups. Specifically, negative stigma towards autistic children can be a significant sociocultural barrier impacting service access, as the decisions around services may depend on differing views according to their traditions, cultural beliefs and practices, leading to diverse approaches in understanding and managing the condition. This study examines the role of stigma in service utilization among underrepresented ethnoracial minority groups, focusing on South Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, and East African families. It was hypothesized that higher stigma is related to lower use of autism-related services. Data from 52 parents were analyzed to explore this relationship, revealing that stigma may significantly impacts service utilization but this is dependent on service type, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive approaches to reduce health disparities and improve access to autism-related services.