9 Biggest Signs of Autism in Black Adults

While many people think autism is usually diagnosed in children, you may be surprised to know how many adults have gone undiagnosed. Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that almost 5 ½ million Americans are living with autism, there are no readily available statistics to show when they were diagnosed. However, there is enough data to suggest that even more Americans haven’t been diagnosed yet – especially if they’re Black.  Why Autism may be Different for Black People The symptoms of autism can vary wildly, which is why it’s referred to as a spectrum. Most people associate being non-verbal with autism but it’s much more than that. That assumption is valid as up to 40 percent of people with the condition are non-verbal. The remaining 60 percent, however, may have symptoms that go unnoticed even as children. Black children, in particular, were more likely to be seen as being problematic and having behavioral problems. As such, they’re not treated as if they have a medical condition that can be managed.  Unfortunately, for decades many doctors assumed that anyone who wasn’t diagnosed with autism as a child must not have the condition. The result is that adults...