Mom Has to Teach Grandparents to Accept Her Son's Difference

Daniella and her husband have a young son they think might be on the autism spectrum or have developmental delays. Her parents have a hard time overcoming outdated stigmas about cognitive differences. And a pediatrician who studies healthcare in Latino communities speaks with Juleyka about how to support loved ones who are different.

Featured Expert: 

Dr. Katharine Zuckerman is a general pediatrician who cares for children with a wide variety of acute and chronic illnesses, and provides well-child care.  Dr. Katharine Zuckerman is also associate professor at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. She has special interests in child development, developmental conditions, autism spectrum disorder and feeding problems. She also has an interest in the multicultural aspects of health care and health services delivery. She is the mother of two young girls who keep her very busy when she is not in the clinic. She has conducted a research study around Latino parents’ perspectives on Autism and barriers to diagnosis. Her study found that children in Latino families with parental limited English proficiency experienced different diagnostic barriers, used less ASD treatment, and had more unmet ASD therapy needs than children in English-proficient Latino families or children in non-Latino white families.

 Dr.  Zuckerman  recommends the CDC's Milestone Tracker and the Autism Self Advocacy Network as resources for parents.

 If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to Dad's Mental Illness, On His Terms, and When They Want a Wedding and Grandchildren But You Are Not Ready.

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