Worth Noting
Autism Clinic Meets Spanish-Speaking Community Demand utism’s prevalence in embraces the language and the U.S. continues to cultural needs of Hispanic patients increase. An estimated and families. one in 54 children have Hispanic MAAC is part of the an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) MetroHealth Autism Assessment diagnosis, up nearly 10 percent Clinic (MAAC). Spanish-speaking from the Centers for Disease families (mono-/bi-lingual or Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Spanish is first language) are previous biennial report. directed to Hispanic MAAC. “My suspicion is prevalence MAAC routes families into is going up because [medical four breakdowns, according to professionals] are catching it at both A young boy studies a miniature globe held Armstrong-Brine: younger children ends — through earlier screenings, by Melissa Armstrong-Brine during an autism MAAC (6 and below), older assessment session at MAAC as well as identifying those children MAAC (6 up to age who may have been missed the 21), adult MAAC (over 21) first time around,” says Melissa and Hispanic MAAC. WHAT EXACTLY IS AUTISM? Armstrong-Brine, Ph.D., “Our Spanish-speaking According to the CDC, one in six children who director of the MetroHealth are ages 3 to 17 years old have developmental providers represent multiple Autism Assessment Clinic disabilities — conditions that affect how children dialects and cultures, so we are play, learn, speak, act or move. The CDC describes and clinical psychologist in not making assumptions about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in this way: the Division of Child and cultures and beliefs or how a ASD is a developmental disability that can cause Adolescent Psychiatry. diagnosis may be accepted,” significant social, communication and behavioral For the first time, the CDC Armstrong-Brine says. challenges. There often is nothing about how people data shows no difference in Since its inception in with ASD look that sets them apart from other prevalence rates for white and people, but people with ASD may communicate, 2013, MAAC has diagnosed black children. However, the interact, behave and learn in ways that are different more than 1,000 people from most other people. The learning, thinking and number of Hispanic children with autism, providing problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can identified with ASD is still personalized treatment range from gifted to severely challenged. Some lower by comparison. ASD plans to help individuals and people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily also is identified later among families move forward. The lives; others need less. black and Hispanic children Early assessment and intervention are keys to clinic uses a multidisciplinary compared to white children. helping children achieve their full potential. approach — including child According to the CDC’s psychologists, behavioral summary, “previous studies pediatricians, clinical social have shown that stigma, workers and speech-language Columbus, Lorain and Toledo, lack of access to healthcare therapists — to diagnose schoolaccording to ohio.gov. services, and non-English primary aged children and adolescents. The median income of Hispanic language are potential barriers However, the clinic serves all ages: Ohioans is lower than that of all to identification of children with younger children (24 months and Ohioans, with 24 percent living below ASD, especially among Hispanic older), older children and adults. the poverty line, as reported in the children.” While racial and ethnic In 2018 alone, the clinic served 772 U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American gaps in the identification of ASD children, more than half of whom Community Survey. are closing, more progress is were age 5 and younger. The MetroHealth System, needed to increase awareness and “We are not only looking for Cuyahoga County’s public health improve access to screening and autism,” Armstrong-Brine says. system, recognizes an urgent intervention services. “We see a lot of anxiety, OCD need for autism services in the Ohio’s Hispanic population has (obsessive-compulsive disorder), Spanish-speaking community. Too doubled since 2000 and more than ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity many families struggle without a tripled since 1980, with one out of disorder), language disorders and diagnosis or care. MetroHealth every three Hispanic Ohioans living intellectual disability. With adults, Autism Assessment Clinic (MAAC) in one of four cities: Cleveland, we have also seen depression or in Cleveland accommodates and
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livespecial.com 2020-21
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By Lindsey Geiss
