Minority kids with autism less likely to use specialty servi

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MONDAY, June 17 (HealthDay News) -- Black and Hispanic children with autism are markedly less likely than children from white families to receive specialty care for complications tied to the disorder, a new study finds.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital for Children in Boston found that the rates at which minority children accessed specialists such as gastroenterologists, neurologists and psychiatrists, as well as the tests these specialists use, ran well below those of white children.


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it says less likely than whites to recieve speciality care,but the title on the site says 'less likely to use speciality services study',they both mean very different things, one woud suggest the possibility of discrimination and the other suggests they [or more specificaly the parents/carers] are choosing to not use them.

its possibly a culture thing and there may even be some religeous influences to.
to use an example,indian family culture promotes supporting their own no matter how bad it gets, and even when it does get THAT bad they tend to make use of part time services instead.
many muslims also believe having a disabled son/daughter is punishment from allah for the parents having comitted a sin, and it is up to them to look after the child,some can be ashamed of the child as a result,a fellow resident is muslim and his parents originaly thought he was punishment from allah and he was sent to ours every day when picked up with a bottle of water to be splashed on him blessed by an imam.

white culture...what is it? there isnt anything that can be really associated with whites-no strong family ties, blacks have more of a culture,white culture puts less of a shame on accepting help outside the family whereas black culture is very family orientated same with indian culture,am not sure about hispanic people because have never known any hispanic people here?

it is an interesting topic, as it might help them to make services more accessible and also make sure we do not get any desperate tragedies.
have seen exactly the same sort of study done over here for autism services.

Also it could be language availability and even discussion of these issues. Anything relating to mental health is taboo in a lot of Asian cultures for example, and other cultures as well. Even if it's not neurological, if you can't see it or perceive it through a test it's considered 'psychiatric' by the ignorant - including ignorant families.

Or is this about money or transport costs and could be an ommited variable. I am not sure all services are free. Maybe reduceing income inequality will help. Are we sure the services are not located mostly in white neighborhoods making it cost more in time to travel to the speciality areas. Are these services in white neighborhoods then it may make sense more whites use them.