THE EXPERIENCES OF CULTURALLY DIVERSE FAMILIES WITH AUTISM

Year 2019, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 218 - 227, 31.12.2019

Talip Yiğit , Aslıhan Nişancı

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are considered to be the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States. ASD are neurodevelopmental disorders that are characterized by difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication, social reciprocity, and restrictive and repetitive behaviors. Although the prevalence of ASD is the same regardless of race, ethnicity, or culture; culturally diverse families may have different experiences. In this article, the term “culturally diverse” refers to immigrants and minorities. The aim of this literature review is to explore culturally diverse families’ experiences with having children with ASD. The review of nine relevant articles suggests that families display differences with regard to treatment and diagnosis, service utilization, beliefs, and coping mechanisms. Further research is needed to investigate differences among different cultural groups and contexts.

Keywords

Autism, culturally diverse, immigrant

Supporting Institution

-

Project Number

-

Thanks

-

References

• Akgöz, Ercan, Kan S., İ. ve İ. (2004). Meta-analizi. Uludağ Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi Cilt 30 (2). s.108 ve 109 American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. Brandon, R. R., & Brown, M. R. (2009). African American families in the special education process. Intervention in School and Clinic, 45(2), 85. Capps, R., Fix, M. E., Ost, J., Reardon-Anderson J., & Passel, J. S. (2005). The health and well-being of young children of immigrants. Retrieved from the Urban Institute website: http://www.urban.org/publications/311139.html Çarkungöz, E. (2009). Meta analizi. Uludağ Üniversitesi J. Fac. Vet. Med. (28) s.33 Dyches, T. T., Wilder, L. K., Sudweeks, R. R., Obiakor, F. E., & Algozzine, B. (2004). Multicultural issues in autism. Journal of Autism and Development Disorders, 34(2), 211-222. Hebbeler, K., Spiker, D., & Mallik, S. (2003). National early intervention longitudinal study: Demographic characteristics of children and families entering early intervention. Retrieved from The National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study website: http://www.sri.com/neils/EFI1report.pdf Jegatheesan, B., Miller, P. J., & Fowler, S. A. (2010). Autism from a religious perspective: A study of parental beliefs in south Asian Muslim immigrant families. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 25(2), 98-109. Lin, S. C., Yu, S. M., & Harwood, R. L. (2012). Autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities in children from immigrant families in the United States. Pediatrics, 130(SUPPL. 2), S191-S197. Luong, J., Yoder, M. K., & Canham, D. (2009). Southeast Asian parents raising a child with autism: A qualitative investigation of coping styles. Journal of School Nursing, 25(3), 222-229. Magana, S., & Ghosh, S. (2010). Latina mothers caring for a son or daughter with autism or schizophrenia: Similarities, differences, and the relationship between co-residency and maternal well-being. Journal of Family Social Work, 13(3), 227-250. Migration Policy Institute (2018). Children in US Immigrant Families. Retrieved from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/charts/children-immigrant-families Montes, G., & Halterman, J. S. (2011). White-black disparities in family-centered care among children with autism in the United States: Evidence from the NS-CSHCN 2005-2006. Academic Pediatrics, 11(4), 297-304. doi:10.1016/j.acap.2011.02.002 Sofronoff, K., & Farbotko, M. (2002). The effectiveness of parent management training to increase self-efficacy in parents of children with Asperger syndrome. Autism, 6(3), 271-286. Tek, S., & Landa, R. J. (2012). Differences in autism symptoms between minority and non-minority toddlers. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(9), 1967-1973. Tincani, M., Travers, J., & Boutot, A. (2009). Race, culture, and autism spectrum disorder: Understanding the role of diversity in successful educational interventions. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 34(3-4), 81-90. Welterlin, A., & LaRue, R. H. (2007). Serving the needs of immigrant families of children with autism. Disability & Society, 22(7), 747-760.