Understanding Diagnostic Experiences and Service Barriers Among Chinese American Families: A Nationwide Study

Studies have well-documented persistent racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and linguistic disparities in autism identification and service access (Schwartz & Blankenship, 2014; Fadus et al., 2020). For example, Becerra et al. (2014) found that Asian children were less likely to receive an early diagnosis of autism than White children despite having similar symptoms and impairments. Chinese Americans, as the largest ethnic group among Asian Americans in the United States, remain underrepresented in research and practice on autism. Furthermore, research frequently aggregates diverse Asian racial or ethnic groups into a single homogenous group, failing to address the unique cultural practices, needs, and challenges specific to individual groups (Hasnain et al., 2020). Previous studies highlight that all Asians do not have the same cultural practices and that characteristics of one cultural group cannot necessarily be generalized to others (Parette et al., 2004). The differences in autism history and the uniqueness of each Asian ethnic group provide a compelling reason to increase our understanding of Chinese caregivers’ perceptions and experiences of the autism diagnostic process and access to service. This study addresses critical gaps in the literature by exploring the diagnostic journeys and service barriers faced by Chinese American families of autistic children. Using a nationwide, survey-based design, the study aims to examine the cultural, linguistic, and systemic challenges these families encounter. By focusing on this underrepresented group, the study seeks to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of their needs, perceptions, and experiences, ultimately informing culturally tailored interventions and policies that promote equitable service access and support.