In recognition of Black History Month, this edition of E-Speaks offers stories and perspectives from members of the Black autism community.

Meet a young man with autism who overcame many obstacles in his early life and is now preparing to graduate high school and take on a career. Watch a roundtable discussion centered around the health disparities in the Black autistic community and learn about a newly designed research team committed to helping minority families to feel better represented in autism research.

Meet Malachi: In his own words

Non-verbal and struggling with severe sensory issues, Malachi was facing an uphill battle when he was diagnosed with autism as a child. Today, he’s 19 and continues to break barriers thanks to an amazing support team and one very proud mom.

Advocacy in the Black autistic community

Advocates in the Black autistic community share why Black History Month is important and why Black voices are crucial in autism advocacy to work toward reducing health disparities, improving access to services and supports, and decreasing stigma.

Autism genetics study engages Black communities

More diverse research participation in genetics makes the research findings stronger. But minority communities overall are not well-represented in current autism genetics research studies. The ACE3 project is aiming to change that. The research team designed the current funding cycle of this longstanding NIH-funded program to invest long-term in Black communities and help overcome traditional barriers to research participation for minority families at the four study sites in the U.S.