Survey: Autism Harder to Diagnose Among Latinos

Screening for autism spectrum disorders in Spanish-speaking families has posed a challenge for many pediatricians, even those whose practice includes a high proportion of Latinos, a survey indicated.Only 29% of California pediatricians surveyed offered Spanish-language screening for autism and related disorders on the recommended schedule, Katharine E. Zuckerman, MD, MPH, of Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, and colleagues found.

Latino Families Brace for Future of Their Young Adult Children with Autism

Kudos to NBC Latino for exploring this topic and its impact on families. Be sure to watch the video.

In a recent study published online in Pediatrics, researchers found that more than half of young adults with autism had no job or schooling within two years of graduating high school. Are America’s Hispanic families and communities prepared to help serve this generation?As part of a special project with Telemundo, NBCLatino.com hopes to explore this topic more deeply by talking with families who are living with these challenges.
We begin with the story of southern California’s Ana DaSilva and her family of 5.  Eighteen-year-old Andy DaSilva has autism and is about to graduate high school.  Anna is worried about Andy’s transition into college.  He wants to become a  chef or maybe an animator someday.