Mark Whitehead 03 March 2023

Autistic children face discrimination in care system

Autistic children face discrimination in care system image
Image: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com.

Marginalised families with autistic children face serious problems in the health, care, and education systems, according to new research.

A report by the University of Birmingham says there is widespread discrimination, biases, and lack of resources available for families in Britain.

Challenges include getting a diagnosis, accessing educational support, challenging illegal exclusions and getting support for carers.

The report by Dr Prithvi Perepa, Professor Karen Guldberg and Dr Simon Wallace, at the university’s Autism Centre for Education and Research, looked at families belonging to minority ethnic communities whose first language is not English.

It also looked at families from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and autistic children in care.

The latest Government plans set out changes and investment in the system to help children and families better access the support they need but makes no mention of marginalised families, the report’s authors say.

They highlight the problems faced by parents and families obtaining a diagnosis for their child, which can be made even worse for those from marginalised backgrounds or communities.

Dr Perepa said: ‘Getting an initial diagnosis for an autistic child is a universal struggle, as outlined in the Government’s recent SEND and AP Improvement Plan, but this becomes even harder when faced with institutional bias and racism, as well as language barriers.

‘Data from the Department for Education shows that 2.2% of pupils in England have been identified with autism as their primary need, but within that there is a huge over representation of white British and black British children.

‘Those from Pakistani, Indian and “white other” communities are under-represented in these figures.

‘This is due to a host of issues, but a complex and seemingly hostile system and insufficient understanding of the impact of marginalisation amongst professionals are certainly the biggest, especially if communicating in English is difficult.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Lifeguard – Shift Pattern 1

Ribble Valley Borough Council
Scale 1B (scp 3-4) £12.45 to £12.65 per hour
We are looking for an experienced lifeguard to perform lifeguard duties Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recuriter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Lifeguard – Shift Pattern 2

Ribble Valley Borough Council
Scale 1B (scp 3-4) £12.45 to £12.65 per hour
We are looking for an experienced lifeguard to perform lifeguard duties Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recuriter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Business Support to Senior Leader

Wakefield Council
£24,790 - £25,183, Grade 4, 37 hours, Permanent
Are you flexible, looking for a challenge and a role where no two days are the same? Then this is the role for you! Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Locality Team Manager - East

Wakefield Council
£49,764 - £52,805, Grade 12, 37 hours, Permanent
We are looking for a Locality Team Manager to lead and manage a Locality Team Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Co-ordination Support Officer - Admin

Wakefield Council
£25,584 - £27,269, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
Do you have excellent business administration skills with an interest in working in Adults Social Care? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner