Bridging the Gap: Barriers to Access Autism Support for Immigrant and Refugee Communities in Canada and the United States

OBJECTIVE: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects one in 50 children in Canada and one in 31 children in the United States. This scoping review aimed to identify barriers immigrant families encounter when accessing ASD services. METHOD: Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute framework, databases including CINAHL, Nursing & Allied Health Premium, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed studies published within the past 10 years. A total of 12 studies examining immigrant parents' experiences accessing ASD services through health or education systems were included. RESULTS: Immigrant families reported barriers across cultural, systemic, and structural domains. Several studies also identified facilitators, such as bilingual providers and community-based support networks, which improved service access and trust. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that immigrant families experience multiple, overlapping barriers that delay diagnosis and intervention. Addressing culturally responsive care, interpreter access, and service coordination is essential to improving equitable access to ASD services in Canada and the United States.