How to find an autism provider who understands your culture
By Marta Chmielowicz
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Our cultural identity—shaped by race, ethnicity, religion, values and traditions—deeply influences how we navigate the world, including how we approach care. That’s why culturally competent care matters. A provider who understands and respects your family’s cultural background—in addition to you or your child’s clinical needs—can make all the difference.
“Providers should be approaching new cultures from a place of curiosity, not hierarchy.”
- Dr. Jennifer Sykes
“Providers should be approaching new cultures from a place of curiosity, not hierarchy,” says Dr. Jennifer Sykes, licensed psychologist providing services in Missouri. “They should not assume that the way their culture does things is inherently better than the way you do things. That’s what cultural humility is—it’s acknowledging what you don’t know, being open to learning and showing respect without judgment.”
A provider who takes the time to understand your family’s background can better connect with your child and offer more effective care. For example, if your child is receiving therapy for feeding issues, a culturally competent provider can adapt the treatment plan to reflect your family’s food traditions.
“You don’t necessarily need someone who matches you in all demographic characteristics, but you need someone who understands how your identity might intersect with the work that you need to do,” explains Dr. Sykes. “You should make sure you’re working with someone who recognizes the value and importance of your culture.”
At Autism Speaks, we’re committed to helping autistic people and their families find providers who not only offer evidence-based care but also truly listen, learn and adapt to meet each family’s unique needs. In this blog post, Dr. Sykes offers practical tips on how to identify providers who will treat your family with the respect and understanding you deserve.
How to find a provider who understands you
It’s not always easy to find a provider who meets you or your loved one’s needs—let alone someone who also understands your family’s background and values. But asking the right questions at the start can help you identify someone who is more likely to be a good fit.
The Autism Speaks Resource Guide is a great place to begin your search. Support groups can also be helpful in finding local providers. The Autism Speaks Finding your Community resource includes a list of culturally competent support and social groups where you can connect with peers. You can also check with your health insurance provider. Many have an online tool to search that includes preferences for race, language spoken and gender.
As you evaluate potential providers, ask about their experience with families from diverse backgrounds. Providers who are curious, thoughtful and willing to learn about your family’s values are more likely to be a good fit.
“You should be able to talk openly about what you need and what that looks like in your home or culture,” says Dr. Sykes. “And then you should look for people who understand the ways the world might be adding additional stressors to you or your family, because you might need to navigate some of that in your sessions together.”
The first meeting with a potential provider is your chance to explore whether they’re a good fit—not just clinically, but culturally and personally.
Here are a few questions to help guide the conversation:
- How much experience do you have working with children on the spectrum?
- What is your approach to supporting families like mine?
- Do you have experience treating people from my cultural background?
- How do you continue to learn about the cultures of the people you serve?
- Do you have any bilingual staff or interpreters?
- How do you tailor your care to meet the unique needs of your patients?
- How do you incorporate feedback into your care approach?
These questions can help you assess whether a provider’s approach is personalized, respectful, and grounded in evidence-based best practices.
“As you navigate these conversations, you should hear that the provider’s treatment approaches are customized to the person, and that their treatment goals are not harmful or based on outdated stereotypes."
- Dr. Jennifer Sykes
“As you navigate these conversations, you should hear that the provider’s treatment approaches are customized to the person, and that their treatment goals are not harmful or based on outdated stereotypes. Providers who use more outdated terminology, or who seem to have a limited understanding of autism, might not have made the effort to stay informed on current research and best practices,” explains Dr. Sykes.
While collaboration is a key part of your relationship with your provider, you shouldn’t feel responsible for constantly educating your provider about your culture.
"There can be a collaborative working relationship where you can tell your provider that in your culture, you do this or you celebrate this,” she adds. “But it shouldn’t feel like an extra burden or weight for you that potentially slows down or backtracks your progress.”
How to advocate for your needs and spot red flags
If you’re already working with a provider who doesn’t seem to “get it,” don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for a change. Providers who are committed to supporting you or your family will welcome feedback and work with you to make adjustments.
When advocating for change, Dr. Sykes recommends being as calm and specific as possible to make sure your message is heard.
“You’re trying to meet another person where they are and deliver a message in a way that it can be best received, and so sometimes it might be a good idea to remove the emotionality or the anger behind it, even if it’s justified,” she says. “Be as calm as you can be, practice ahead of time, keep the conversation as objective as possible and try to remove some of the emotional pieces from it.”
If a provider dismisses your concerns or makes you feel unheard, that’s a sign it may be time to move on.
“I would pay attention to the impact of the dynamic in the relationship, especially if you feel like you’re not being heard or listened to.”
- Dr. Jennifer Sykes
“I would pay attention to the impact of the dynamic in the relationship, especially if you feel like you’re not being heard or listened to,” explains Dr. Sykes. "That’s sometimes more important than direct knowledge about the culture—can you approach the culture from a respectful place?”
Above all, trust your instincts when it comes to your provider relationship. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to speak up or look for someone new. You are your best advocate, and providers who are committed to helping you will respect your culture, value your feedback and work with you to meet you or your family’s needs.
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