The Resistance, Persistence and Resilience of Black Families Raising Children with Autism

Elizabeth R. Drame, Tara Adams, Veronica R. Nolden & Judy M. Nardi; Peter Lang Inc., 2020

Drame, a UWM School of Education professor, co-wrote this book with three co-authors/investigators who are parents of children on the autism spectrum. It integrates firsthand parent perspectives with academic literature and insights. Through these methods, the book explores the challenges Black parents face in getting an autism diagnosis, securing resources and information, identifying quality schools, interacting in communities and collaborating with professionals. “The literature is very clear that there are a lot of barriers for caregivers in general,” Drame says, “but for Black families and caregivers in particular, the racial bias and systemic racism makes it even more challenging.”