“I Looked Everywhere for Black Girls with Autism, and I Couldn’t Find it”: Family Stories of Diagnosis and Quality Service Access In and Out of School for Black Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The present study shares the stories of families of autistic Black girls concerning their experiences with diagnoses and service access in and out of school. The study strives to diversify the available body of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) related research, from which Black girls face overwhelming exclusion. Using a phenomenological exploratory qualitative study design, I carried out semi structured interviews and demographic questionnaires with parents of Black girls with ASD. The study elucidated critical themes pertaining to diagnostic experiences including: (a) parent education and background; (b) cultural and personal stigma; (c) journeys to acceptance; and (d) mistrust of practitioners. Themes related to service access include: (a) advocacy; (b) lack of receptiveness to parental input; (c) racial discrimination; (d) social networks; (e) external service efficacy; (f) provider quality; and (g) socioeconomic status. Participants’ family stories contribute intersectional perspectives to the literature and highlight systemic inequities that cause harm to families of Black girls with ASD. They also offer important recommendations to policy makers, educators, healthcare providers, and service providers.