Are there any black people with Asperger's syndrome?

Post Reply New Topic

Although I am not black myself, I do live in a country with majority black population. I have no idea of the demographics of autism in my country, but I would assume the rate of diagnosed cases would show that more white people are diagnosed rather than black. This can only be attributed to the socio economic factors.

Really? Where are you from mgran? If you don't mind me asking.

Not necesarily. It can just as well be attributed to lower prevalence in blacks. Until you select a random black sample, give them some ASC-test, and compare their prevalence, you have no idea what factors are behind.

Besides, this same thing is also seen when comparing participant rates from for instance South Africa. Blacks and whites have similar rates, but there are 10 times more blacks in SA. I hardly think all of this can be explained with socio economic factors, as I do not believe that 10 times more whites compared to blacks have Internet-access in SA. At least I know this cannot be the reason in the US.

Yes, socio economic factors can't explain everything, but it does have a significant bearing on life in SA. I know this because I am South African.

It would not surprise me if more whites have access to the internet than the black population either. It's very difficult to explain and if you're not South African it can be a bit hard to understand. The imbalance which was created by Aparthied can still be seen today. The rates may be the same between the two populations, however certain illnesses/circumstances are 'displayed' as being attributed solely or much more popular amongst a certain race. That's the way it is here in SA. As I said, for an outsider it can be hard to understand.

neat!

I always think it hilarious when people give statistics on people with Asperger's Syndrome, as not all those folks are counted somewhere in some grand data base. I watch newly aware and diagnosed people come into WP all the time that isn't a part of someones known statistics.

so I just take all of those statistics about AS with a tablespoon of salt . . .

I love this. =)

I am a diagnosed Aspie, and I am 1/256 black.

I have met one officially diagnosed...Aspie of African descent..living in Texas...and two who are suspect.
One of them is a regular at my venue and sat in on one of the aspie meetings that took place there...The other has had some serious issues that seem to sorta place him as a candidate for the autistic spectrum...Obsessive nature...lack of eye contact...emotional immaturity...Socially outgoing..but with an oddness about it....I am not the only person who has thought him to possibly be on the spectrum..

My father is Jamaican, which I'm sure that most, if not all, black Jamaicans are of African descent.
My mother is caucasian, with ancestors of Irish, Scottish, and German descent.

So I'm biracial.

Of course there are black aspies lol. I know one. I do get why people might not think there are because of the "white and nerdy" stereotype of aspies.

I'm of mixed race... My father is Caribbean (black)/Indian/Dutch, and I've brown skin. I find that people usually don't expect me to be a nerd when first they see me; but after first contact it's never an issue, though it's funny for me to see how I sort of remain a 'stereotype-breaker' of sorts.

Also, my atheism and my autism in general are things that are usually not expected from someone of 'exotic' background here in the Netherlands. Other people who are descended from immigrants like me, tend to be a bit more confused or thrown off about my aloofness and social uncomfortableness, then 'native Dutch' people. Again, it's only an initial contact issue, and obviously it's not an issue for most people.

I can consider myself a 'black Aspie', I also got to post in the 'any Indian Aspies?' a few months earlier, and if there's ever an '(East) Asian Aspie' thread, I'll post there too, because my mother is mixed Chinese/Indonesian/(German).

Presentation of Autism, topic

Tests for AS were designed by Whites, and mostly males. It is the same for IQ. AS presents differently in women and girls, and there is some literature on this subject.

It is possible the there may be a different presentation in those of African descent, and even persons of Asian/South Asian, Chinese, First Nations, Japanese, Australian Aboriginal, etc. descent. In other words, AS may not show or be as obvious to white, mainly male researchers/assessors.

Count Asians out of that. Asians living in the US have participation rates similar to their numbers in the US. And so do American Indians.

Also forget about the male-female factor, as females have higher scores on average than males.

That leaves African Americans as the only outlier group.

Groups, both in and out topic

Read what Sinsboldy wrote. And the final word is not in on African Aspies. Read what I wrote.

Interesting topic.

I would like to point out that internet access isn't going to guarantee someone with AS will be dx'd or have services anywhere nearby that will make a dx possible.

I've had internet access for a dozen years and just a few months ago looked into AS and I've been to dozens if not hundreds of doctors and psychiatrists over my lifetime. no one I've spoken to yet suspected AS except a forensic psychologist who was confused by the disparity between my eye-contact skills/physical affect.

I don't think we're in any position to interpret the data because there just isn't enough. we don't know that there are more boys on the spectrum than girls. we don't have good data from every country and every ethnic group. I think cultural differences could change dx criteria.

There was one black Aspie at an Aspie party I went to once where there were about 30 Aspies. Most Asian men do seem Aspie. Indian men and Japanese men, even Chinese men, and Korean men a lot. Then the Hispanics-- I haven't seen or heard of one Hispanic Aspie.