Autism Spectrum Disorder is recognized across the globe.
But diagnostic practices and access to services vary widely depending on region, culture and healthcare infrastructure (Elsabbagh et al., 2012).
In high-income countries, standardized tools like the ADOS-2 and M-CHAT are common.
In low- and middle-income countries, lack of trained professionals and resources often delay diagnosis and limit support.
Cultural Influences on Diagnosis
Cultural beliefs and stigma can affect how autism is perceived and diagnosed.
For example, in some cultures, developmental delays may be misunderstood as spiritual or behavioral problems, leading families to seek traditional healers rather than medical evaluation (Grinker, 2015).
Language barriers and lack of culturally appropriate diagnostic tools also complicate accurate identification.
Researchers have emphasized the need for adapted screening instruments sensitive to diverse cultural contexts.
Efforts to Improve Global Access
International organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched initiatives to improve autism awareness, diagnosis and care worldwide.
The WHO Caregiver Skills Training Program helps families and communities support kids with an autism diagnosis (WHO, 2016).
Telehealth and digital screening tools are increasingly used to reach underserved populations, helping bridge gaps caused by geography or limited clinical resources.
Of note: The autistic community has pushed for a shift from “awareness” to acceptance.
“Awareness” campaigns imply that ASD needs to be cured, or, at least, is something that can’t be embraced and is inherently bad.
“Acceptance” campaigns have the goal of normalizing autism, or at least, recognizing this neurotype as a normal variation of the human brain.
The normalization of autism, in the context of acceptance, also means encouraging neurotypicals to be less judgmental or less demanding that Autistics change their behavior to appease the neurotypical.
An example would be that of hiring an autistic individual for their experience and willingness to work, instead of assuming they wouldn’t be productive because they didn’t give enough eye contact during the job interview.
Parents of autistic kids and adults who label their child’s condition as “severe” and especially “profound” may disagree with the concept of acceptance and sometimes voice how badly they wish there could be a cure.
Meanwhile, Autists with low support needs, such as myself, truly wish that ASD could be accepted and embraced, not just become a brighter blip on the public radar.
After all, the world needs autistic people; who ELSE will invent warp drive?!
Toward Equity in Autism Care
Despite progress, millions of kids globally still lack timely diagnosis and access to early intervention.
Increasing investment in training professionals, culturally sensitive research and family support remains critical to achieving equitable autism care worldwide.
This also goes for adults. It’s a mistake to assume that anyone who “made it” to adulthood before they got their ASD diagnosis must’ve done pretty well in all the previous years.
This should never be assumed. It’s a horrendous experience to go through life never fitting in with whatever group of people you’re with (be it at the workplace, business meetings, on a sports team, league or pickup games, at social events, parties, extended family get-togethers, etc.).
Because of my autism, I’ve always felt misunderstood and I’ve never felt integrated with other human beings. That’s a pretty crummy way to “make it” to adulthood.
Next: Part 10 in this 10-part series: Future Trends in Autism Diagnosis and Research
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical and fitness topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer. In 2022 she received a diagnosis of Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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