Objective To compare barriers to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis and current ASD-related service use among non-Latino white (NLW) families and Latino families with English proficiency or limited English proficiency. Methods We conducted a mixed-mode survey of families of children with confirmed ASD seen at specialty clinics in three U.S. cities. Bivariate and multivariate analyses compared barriers to ASD diagnosis, current service use, and unmet therapy need among NLW, Latino-English proficient (L-EP), and Latino-limited English proficient (L-LEP) families. Results Overall, barriers to ASD diagnosis were prevalent: families (n=352) experienced a mean of 8 of 15 barriers to ASD diagnosis. The most prevalent barriers overall were “stress of diagnostic process,” “parent knowledge about ASD,” and “understanding medical system.” Compared to NLW families, L-LEP families were more likely to experience barriers related to knowledge about ASD and trust in providers. Children in L-LEP families also had fewer current therapy hours and more unmet therapy needs than children in NLW families. L-EP families’ barriers and treatment services use profile was more similar to NLW than L-LEP families. Conclusions English proficiency was an important marker for barriers to ASD diagnosis and treatment in Latinos. Increasing ASD-related knowledge and provider trust may decrease disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of ASD among U.S. Latinos.

CONTEXT: Research reveals racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in autism diagnosis; there is limited information on potential disparities related to other dimensions of services.OBJECTIVE: We reviewed evidence related to disparities in service use, intervention effectiveness, and quality of care provided to children with autism by race, ethnicity, and/or socioeconomic status.

There is currently insufficient high quality research to support lifestyle interventions post-stroke or TIA on mortality, CVD event rates and cardio-metabolic risk factor profiles. Promising blood pressure reductions were noted in multimodal interventions which addressed lifestyle.

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