Autism and the Minority Community

"I am not waiting for anyone to invite me to the table. I will bring my own table and my own picnic basket. I know many parents who feel the same." - Sailing Autistic Seas


A friend, Miz Kp and fellow blogger at Sailing Autistic Seas said it best. She wrote a blog post called Why Minority Voices Matter in the Autism Community. (Click on the link). 

It should come to no surprise that minorities tend to get the short end of the stick in most cases. This is especially true if you have a child on the spectrum or special needs in general. 

Disclaimer: This post is not about racism and am not entertaining any negative feedback. As a Latina parent of a child with special needs, I know the hardships and challenges of finding programs available to my child. I am solely expressing my opinions. 

 In Miz Kp's post, you'll read about a conference she attended (BlogHer ’14 Special Needs Mini Con in San Jose, CA) where she could count on one hand the number of minority parents who attended. More shockingly was a question that was posed to her  "What can the white special needs community do to help the brown special needs community?" The question really should be "Why are there two special needs communities?" Us parents of children with special needs share the same challenges, struggles. We shed the same tears and at the end of the day want our children to have the best quality of life that we can offer them. So why are these opportunities not offered to all? 

The truth is that the brown special needs community doesn't receive the same information or receive invitations to conferences, panels, seminars, and programs. These things are not  actively extended to our communities. 

As with any situation, there are more powers in numbers. As Miz Kp pointed out on her blog, there a few brown autism families that blog about our lives. Our stories should and need to heard. When she saw few, if any, support groups in the brown community, she along with two other AUSOME moms started a support group in the Bronx. 

I personally met Miz Kp at a Special Needs School Fair at the JCC last fall where I too, counted on one hand the number of brown families. Miz Kp and I being 2 of them. I was excited when we casual struck a conversation and she gave me her card. 

I thought to myself "finally, a familiar face here trying to find resources and information just like me".  This day was a game changer. Meeting Miz Kp has enhanced our lives. Through her, I was able to meet over 50 brown special needs parents who are strong, beautiful souls who share the same struggles as me. Above all, they are here to support one another. They share information. Sharing information is key. Especially amongst us. There are far too many parents that do not share the information for one reason or another. Maybe they feel like they had to work for it, why should they do the work and just pass it along? (I'll save that issue for another blog post!).  While I did not get the information I wanted at the Special Needs Schools Fair - I did get what I needed.  Thank you Miz Kp!!!!

Following Miz Kp's lead, I'd like to shout out fellow brown autism parent bloggers:

 Sailing Autistic Seas

 (A)Typical Familia 

The Diary of a Loving Mom

 My Journey with Josh

One Step Back - Two Steps Forward 

Bay Area Mocha Autism Network

Face the Movement * (This mom is not a blogger but she is doing great things for autism families in the D.C. Metro Area.)

I encourage you to read these blogs. If you have a story or struggle as a brown special needs parent, please consider sharing your stories.  While you may think you are just venting, you might actually be helping someone in need.  Pay it forward.  I know I do.  

 Peace and blessings. 

Comments

  1. Miz KpAugust 4, 2014 at 12:33 PM

    Shirley: Thanks so much for this post. I am so glad that we ran into each other at the JCC fair. As parents of children with special needs, let us continue to share our stories and advocate for our children. We have to fight twice as hard. We have no choice. I myself wondered and have often asked "Us parents of children with special needs share the same challenges, struggles. We shed the same tears and at the end of the day want our children to have the best quality of life that we can offer them."

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