Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition stemming from brain variances, impacting social communication and interaction, and often leading to repetitive behaviors and focused interests (CDC, 2018). Autism is characterized as a "spectrum disorder" due to its range of symptoms, spanning from mild to severe (Lord et al., 2018). While the prevalence of ASD has increased overtime (CDC, 2020; Shaw et al., 2022), rates of diagnosis differ across different demographic groups. Regarding gender, the most commonly reported male to female ratio is 4:1, but there are some disparities with estimates as high as 16:1 (Fombonne et al., 2003, as cited in Cridland et al., 2013). Additionally, there are also variations in the prevalence of ASD across cultural groups. The prevalence of ASD is observed to be comparatively lower among Latino children, estimated at approximately 12.3 per 1,000, in contrast to White children, whose prevalence is reported at 15.8 per 1,000 (CDC, 2014 as referenced in Ratto et al., 2016). Due to the significantly lower diagnosis rates among females, there has been relatively less research on their experiences with ASD, leading to a lack of understanding and support. Similarly, there is significantly less research on Latino individuals diagnosed with ASD than those from other identity groups (e.g., White). Of the ASD research within the Latino community, there currently exists mothers’ reports of their experiences raising children on the spectrum. However, there currently is little research on first-person accounts of Latinas diagnosed with ASD. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to explore the first-hand experiences of Latinas diagnosed with ASD.
Five adult Latinas with ASD participated in this qualitative study. Two participants were interviewed and three completed an anonymous survey. Using thematic analyses, the following main themes were identified: pre-diagnosis experiences, the discovery and understanding process following diagnosis, maneuvering within sensory and social worlds, cultural dimensions and identity, and growth and empowerment. The findings of the present study highlight the unique experiences of Latinas diagnosed with ASD and offer crucial information for developing targeted interventions and support systems that address the intersection of cultural, gender, and neurodevelopmental factors affecting this population.