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Knowing the Facts - With World Autism Day and Autism Awareness Month happening in April, it’s important to know that autism affects Black children, too. Read more about how this incurable developmental disorder impacts Blacks, cultural stigma and barriers that stand in our way to seeking care. —(@kelleent) Kellee Terrell    (Photo: PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images)

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What Is Autism? - Autism spectrum disorder is a range of brain-related developmental disorders that impairs one’s ability to socialize with others and speak. It also can cause someone to engage in unusual and bizarre repetitive behavior. One can suffer from severe forms of autism, while someone can suffer from a milder form such as Asperger syndrome. (Photo: DU CANE MEDICAL IMAGING LTD/Getty Images)

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Black Children Are Diagnosed Late - A 2011 study found that the average African-American child is diagnosed late with autism at 8 years old compared to 6 years old for white children. Not to mention, researchers also found that when Black parents do mention autism to their doctors, they are more likely to be ignored. By delaying diagnosis, Black children are more likely to need more extensive and longer treatment. (Photo: NNS/Landov)

Photo By NNS/Landov

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Barriers to Diagnosis  - Some factors behind why our children are diagnosed late with autism include the lack of access to quality, affordable and culturally competent health care. There is also stigma in our community and a belief that autism doesn't affect Black children.(Photo: Garry Wade/Getty Images)

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Our Symptoms Are More Severe - A study that was published in the February 2012 issue of Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that even when African-American children and other children of color were diagnosed with autism early on, their symptoms were more severe than their white counterparts. Blacks also lagged behind in development of language and motor skills. (Photo: REUTERS/Daniel LeClair/Landov)

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We Are More Likely to Be Misdiagnosed - African-American children are more likely to be misdiagnosed when seeking autism testing, according to the Color of Autism Foundation, and many of those misdiagnosed and under diagnosed autistic children end up in the criminal justice system every year. Also, there are very few clinical studies about African-American children and autism. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images)

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What Misdiagnosis Can Look Like - Misdiagnoses can happen to anyone, but while white children are more likely to be told they have ADHD, Black children are told that they have psychoses, mental retardation or selective mutism, which can serve as a barrier for parents to not report their children’s behavioral problems. (Photo: KidStock/Getty Images)

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Why Early Treatment Matters - Early interventions for many children with autism can make a huge difference and, given our later diagnosis, this plays into worse outcomes for children. Early interventions can help improve a child’s development, speech and ability to interact with others. (Photo: i2i Images/Getty Images)

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What Are the Warning Signs?  - Autism can usually be diagnosed between the ages of 2 and 3, but there are warning signs to look for before then, says Autism Speaks. They include: Your baby doesn’t smile or express joy after six months of age; no waving, smiling or reaching by age 1; no talking by 16 months; no two-word phrases by age 2; and any loss of speech at any age. (Photo: Commercial Appeal/Landov)

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Knowing the Symptoms - With autism, symptoms vary but can include the inability to respond to one’s name, not wanting to be touched by others, not communicating or talking to others, preferring to play alone, inability to imitate words or actions, inability to find comfort in hugging or touch and partaking in strange repetitive behavior. People with autism can also suffer from sleep problems, seizures and digestive issues. (Photo: Realistic Reflections/Getty Images)