Alright, so if you read this blog – then you know I relentlessly and consistently advocate for the underdog autism families who are usually and unfortunately low income and minorities.
There has been research after research stating disparity in autism diagnoses and treatment for minority children is high even when the funding source is from Medicaid, such as Minnesota’s double standard autism coverage. Then I started thinking why is that and what can be done about it.
For one – we know there is injustice in racial health disparity overall, but we don’t really know why and how to fix that. This country spends billions (not millions) of dollars in decreasing health disparity – yet no hope in sight. There has been zero studies or research at least for autism that dig deep into why there is autism diagnoses and treatment discrimination. I believe if we knew why then we can find a cure for this which could save billions not to mention the human lives being affected.
While this research is being thought about – I have several theories. As a Black autism mom whose child has classic autism – I have seen discrimination in almost everywhere. Usually it is subtle and it is things like your child not getting the full hours he/she needs, the program is not culturally appropriate even though autism is behavior and behavior is about culture, your child gets mediocre therapists, you are put on years wait list which defeats the notion of early intervention is the best hope, or you are told there is no hope and discharged prematurely.
Now, while these things usually come from the top – so many in the middle and lower staff tolerate it and look the other way. This is my reason for this post today.
I saw the youtube below and thought what if that White woman looked the other way and let the Black woman go through a clear bias policy. What if Rosa Parks said – you know I am too tired and I will just sit in the back of the bus, what if Medgar Evers said “ah what the heck, this is too much and I am just going to concentrate in my own little life”. What if Lincoln did not say this “In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free – honorable alike in what we give, and
what we preserve. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth. Other means may succeed; this could not fail. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just – a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless.” Lincoln’s Second Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862″
You see, we all have choices and the choices we make today affect our family tomorrow and generations after. Imagine when in America folks of color become the majority (this will happen according to statistics and growth in the next few decades) – wouldn’t you want them to stand up for you as the White minority person? I ask anyone who sees autism bias policy towards any child or family to stand up, to speak up and to fight injustice because as Dr. Martin Luther King said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Fight autism inequality from every corner, every valley and every mountain. You will sleep better and your children and their children will benefit from it.
If you are saying, I am just going to be neutral – let me remind you what Desmond Tutu said about that. “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.
Here is what Frederick Douglass said that I ask Autism Therapist and providers to live by; “Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them.
Thanks!
Above words do not reflect any candidate, agency or committee.
Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Minority Advocate