{"675569":{"#nid":"675569","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Documentary on Autism in Communities of Color Continues the Conversation","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAccessing diagnostics, care, and resources for families raising children with autism is notoriously complicated. According to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/jennifer-singh\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJennifer Singh\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s 20 years of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/news\/item\/650277\/interactive-autism-services-shows-inequality-helps-georgians-find-services\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eresearch\u003C\/a\u003E, it\u2019s especially challenging for families of color.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u0027s an ideology that autism happens predominantly in white boys and that autism doesn\u0027t happen in Black communities or Spanish-speaking communities, but it does,\u201d said Singh, an associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hsoc.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of History and Sociology\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIt might look different and be experienced differently, but it\u2019s there.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn March, Singh\u2019s research \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/news\/item\/673594\/documentary-ivan-allen-college-faculty-explores-challenges-autism\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eculminated in the premiere\u003C\/a\u003E of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/navigatingautism\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENavigating Autism in Communities of Color\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a collaborative documentary about the unique challenges that arise at the intersection of race and autism. Telling the story of six Black families raising autistic children in the Atlanta area, the film has \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gpb.org\/news\/2024\/04\/24\/georgia-tech-expert-delves-autism-care-disparities-in-georgia\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Esparked discussions\u003C\/a\u003E with families and medical professionals alike since its release, highlighting the impact of racial biases on the autistic experience.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, Singh and her collaborators are continuing the conversation with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/navigating-autism-communities-color-screening-and-discussion-gpb-atlanta\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Evirtual screenings\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/sensory-friendly-family-meetup-gpb-atlanta\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eeducational events\u003C\/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/paaffoundation.org\/2024-baff-line-up\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Efilm festivals\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI told people at the screening that this is not the end,\u201d said the documentary\u2019s director \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lmc.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/john-thornton\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJohn Thornton\u003C\/a\u003E, director of film and media production in Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lmc.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Literature, Media, and Communication\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cAll this is a conversation in a longer conversation of things that can exist.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBringing Resources to the Community\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo bring the documentary to life, Thornton and Singh partnered with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/thecolorofautism.org\/874-2\/\u0022\u003ECamille Proctor\u003C\/a\u003E, founder of the parent-led advocacy organization \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/thecolorofautism.org\/\u0022\u003EThe Color of Autism\u003C\/a\u003E Foundation, in 2022. Between Proctor\u2019s expertise in connecting families to trauma-informed, culturally competent support and Singh\u2019s research, the team identified families and healthcare professionals to feature in the film.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter filming and long months of editing in 2023, \u003Cem\u003ENavigating Autism\u003C\/em\u003E premiered on March 22, 2024, at Georgia Tech to over 60 healthcare providers, advocates, and community members from across Atlanta.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese parents showed how they\u0027re making a difference, accepting their children and making the best of it \u2014 making a world that\u0027s safe and welcoming for them,\u201d said Singh. \u201cIt starts in your own home, and that was just so important for people to hear.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to entering the documentary in local and national film festivals, the team is bringing the film \u2014 and key resources \u2014 to the community. After screening it for medical and psychology students at Morehouse School of Medicine, they are particularly interested in reaching healthcare providers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA lot of medical providers are leaning into the documentary and trying to see how they can encourage a conversation in that space,\u201d said Thornton. \u201cI think that\u0027s the part that will make the biggest change.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUpcoming efforts also include a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/navigating-autism-communities-color-screening-and-discussion-gpb-atlanta\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Evirtual screening of the documentary with GPB Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E and a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/sensory-friendly-family-meetup-gpb-atlanta\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Esensory-friendly family meet-up\u003C\/a\u003E for families to learn more about available support.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI knew this was a meaningful story, but I didn\u0027t think it was going to make such an immediate impact,\u201d adds Thornton. \u201cIt just never dawned on me that people are so hungry for this type of information.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAn Interdisciplinary Idea\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESingh has been researching demographic disparities in the autism community for years. Originally focusing on autism through the lens of biology and genetics, she has since\u0026nbsp;shifted to investigating structural inequities in diagnosis and services for under-resourced communities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBy over-focusing on the science and the genetics,\u201d said Singh, \u201cwe tend to obscure the social, cultural, and economic\u0026nbsp;issues that are at stake when it comes to having a child with a disability.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom creating a map of available \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/news\/item\/650277\/interactive-autism-services-shows-inequality-helps-georgians-find-services\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eautism services in Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E to co-founding a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.breakthecycleprogram.org\/break-the-cycle-of-autism\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eworking group\u003C\/a\u003E dedicated to promoting equity in autism services, Singh has always been on the hunt for ways to bring her findings to those who need them. After meeting Thornton and partnering with Proctor, the idea to tell the personal stories of real families through a documentary became a reality.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI wouldn\u0027t have had that idea had I not learned from families through my research about the challenges of accessing services among Black families with autistic children,\u201d said Singh.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe emphasized that interdisciplinary initiatives like \u003Cem\u003ENavigating Autism\u003C\/em\u003E \u2014 as well as the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENeuro Next Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E, where she is a member of the executive committee \u2014 are key to moving the needle on large issues like this.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of value and importance in working with communities, working across disciplines, and creating something that\u0027s bigger than any one person could do.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWatch the trailer for\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENavigating Autism in Communities of Color \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=w5y_lzRCCYM\u0026amp;embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fiac.gatech.edu%2F\u0026amp;source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ehere\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/navigatingautism\/newsletter\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESign up here\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E to receive updates about the project.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEarlier this year, Georgia Tech faculty released a collaborative documentary highlighting the challenges of navigating autism in communities of color. Now, the team is bringing their film and key resources to the community.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Earlier this year, Georgia Tech faculty released a collaborative documentary highlighting the challenges of navigating autism in communities of color. Now, the team is bringing their film and key resources to the community."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2024-07-23 16:28:39","changed_gmt":"2024-12-09 17:36:57","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-07-23T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-07-23T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674406":{"id":"674406","type":"image","title":"Navigating-Autism-Premiere-Photo.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe documentary premiered in March at the Atlantic Theater.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1721752240","gmt_created":"2024-07-23 16:30:40","changed":"1721752240","gmt_changed":"2024-07-23 16:30:40","alt":"The documentary premiered in March at the Atlantic Theater.","file":{"fid":"257911","name":"Navigating-Autism-Premiere-Photo.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/23\/Navigating-Autism-Premiere-Photo.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/23\/Navigating-Autism-Premiere-Photo.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":133413,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/07\/23\/Navigating-Autism-Premiere-Photo.jpg?itok=22se46zi"}},"674407":{"id":"674407","type":"image","title":"Jennifer-Singh-with-Panel.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJennifer Singh (right) with several members of the documentary\u0027s cast at the premiere.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1721752306","gmt_created":"2024-07-23 16:31:46","changed":"1721752306","gmt_changed":"2024-07-23 16:31:46","alt":"Jennifer Singh (right) with several members of the documentary\u0027s cast at the premiere.","file":{"fid":"257912","name":"Jennifer-Singh-with-Panel.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/23\/Jennifer-Singh-with-Panel.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/23\/Jennifer-Singh-with-Panel.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":189024,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/07\/23\/Jennifer-Singh-with-Panel.jpg?itok=NEeZ1bZX"}},"674408":{"id":"674408","type":"image","title":"John-Thornton-On-Stage.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Thornton on stage at the documentary\u0027s premiere.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1721752391","gmt_created":"2024-07-23 16:33:11","changed":"1721752391","gmt_changed":"2024-07-23 16:33:11","alt":"John Thornton on stage at the documentary\u0027s premiere.","file":{"fid":"257913","name":"John-Thornton-On-Stage.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/23\/John-Thornton-On-Stage.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/23\/John-Thornton-On-Stage.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":115473,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/07\/23\/John-Thornton-On-Stage.jpg?itok=Hx-4N6ZY"}}},"media_ids":["674406","674407","674408"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/news\/item\/673594\/documentary-ivan-allen-college-faculty-explores-challenges-autism","title":"Documentary by Ivan Allen College Faculty Explores Challenges of Autism in Communities of Color"},{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/navigating-autism-communities-color-screening-and-discussion-gpb-atlanta","title":"Attend a virtual screening with GPB Atlanta"},{"url":"https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/navigatingautism\/newsletter\/","title":"Sign up for project updates"}],"groups":[{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"}],"keywords":[{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022neuro.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ENeuro Next Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}