title: African American families on autism diagnosis and treatment: the influence of culture.
abstract: Cultural factors such as health care access and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptom interpretations have been proposed as impacting delayed diagnosis and treatment for African American children with ASD. A qualitative study of urban African American families caring for their child with autism was conducted with 24 family members and 28 ASD professionals. Cultural caring meant families protected their child from harm including potential or actual distrustful encounters, and took action for their child and community to optimize their child's health and address the knowledge deficits of ASD within their community. Families and professionals believed cultural influences delayed families' receiving and seeking appropriate health care for the African American child with ASD affecting timely autism diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, ML4002, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA. Karen.Burkett@cchmc.org.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9494-8553
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burkett
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.|Nursing Research in Patient Services, Center for Professional Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, ML4002, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manning-Courtney
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anthony
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shambley-Ebron
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans
keywords: ASD diagnosis; African American families; Autism spectrum disorder; Cultural factors; Health care disparities