ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author focuses on issues around autistic girls growing up in her community in particular. There are fewer able Black young people being diagnosed on the autism spectrum. The media have often presented a negative picture of Black boys and girls. Where Black boys are portrayed as boisterous, unruly and out of control, Black girls will be seen as loud, abrupt and feisty. Black and White professionals had interpreted the author's daughter’s behaviours through the cultural stereotypes of ‘feisty Black girl’, ‘socioeconomic status’ and ‘single parent family’. One way of targeting communities is by running groups and events hosted by professionals, representative of that community, who are trained and understand the facts of cultural diversity and difference. Autism professionals rarely have the authority to mediate with the community or advocate on behalf of a family; what is needed is an independent advocate from within that community.
