Autism
People with Autism may have particularly strong interests, repeat comforting movements or sounds, struggle with communication, and perceive their senses differently than other people. Autism exists on a spectrum, meaning each person with Autism has a unique experience with it.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black children have historically been identified with Autism less consistently than white children, but the gaps in diagnoses have become less apparent since 2014. Historical gaps imply that more Black people with Autism would have to have to seek diagnoses as adults, if ever.
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The CDC's 2021 community report on Autism reported that Autism was identified more frequently in low-income neighborhoods, and Black children were more frequently identified with having Autism and a co-occurring intellectual disability.
Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger's Syndrome is now considered to be a subset of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). People with Asperger's Syndrome tend to have similar strengths and weaknesses as people with Autism, but their challenges may not be as apparent to others.
To see statistical information related to Asperger's Syndrome, please see "Autism."
Dyslexia
People with Dyslexia struggle to connect written words with their pronunciation but would otherwise be stronger readers.
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Although the International Dyslexia Association states that people of different sexes, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds are affected by nearly equal rates of Dyslexia, a 2010 study by Asher Hoyles and Martin Hoyles conducted interviews that revealed Black adults with Dyslexia can be impacted by the effects of both racial discrimination and ableism at the same time,
Dyscalculia
People with Dyscalculia have difficulties with remembering numbers or understanding mathematical concepts.
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​A 2019 study in Germany by Haberstroh and Schulte-Körne found that Dyscalculia is more common in girls. However, a 2018 study by Dr. Kinga Morsanyi found no significant gender differences in the number of people with Dyscalculia. Although these studies began studying the demographics of people with Dyscalculia, few, if any, break down demographics according to race.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a seizure disorder, meaning that people with Epilepsy suffer from seizures without being provoked.
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According to a 2013 study by Kroner et al., Black people have a nearly 3x greater lifetime prevalence of Epilepsy compared to White people and over twice the lifetime prevalence of Hispanic people, potentially due to environmental factors, healthcare quality, or cultural beliefs.
Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia impacts a person's fine and gross motor coordination, meaning that people with Dyspraxia struggle to do large and small tasks, such as walking or typing. Dyspraxia may also impact memory, other cognitive skills, or present differently over time.
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Dyspraxia affects up to 10% of the population, and people with Dyspraxia may also have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or Dyslexia, according to Queen Mary University of London's Disability and Dyslexia Service.
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The NHS notes that one factor that indicates a higher chance of being born with Dyspraxia is premature birth. In 2019, the CDC reported that non-Hispanic Black people have the highest preterm birth rate at 14.39%; the preterm birth rate for all races was 10.23%. The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) suggests that the high rate of preterm births by Black people could be linked with chronic stress due to racial prejudice and other health or economic factors. Together, these factors may indicate that Black people are more likely to be diagnosed with Dyspraxia.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
People with OCD go through recurring cycles of distressing, intrusive thoughts or obsessions and rituals or compulsions that are used to alleviate the distress caused by obsessions.
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A 2020 study by Katz et al. revealed that People of Color (POC) with OCD are more likely to be anxious and have obsessions or compulsions related to luck, the supernatural, or religion than non-minorities with OCD. Non-minorities were 2.09x more likely to receive counseling and 1.86x more likely to receive exposure and response prevention than POC with OCD. Black people with OCD were nearly 4x less likely to be currently taking medication than White people with OCD.
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A 2012 study by Williams and Steever revealed that some barriers to OCD treatment for Black individuals were cost of treatment, stigma, fear of therapy, feeling no need for treatment, worrying treatment will be ineffective, and other concerns regarding the logistics of treatment. Particular barriers for low-income participants in the study also included not realizing they had OCD, difficulties in accessing the mental health community, and trying to resolve their anxieties through religion.
Hyperlexia
People with Hyperlexia can recognize and read words above their comprehension level. They may also have an acute interest in written words and struggle with verbal communication. There are three types of Hyperlexia; type II is associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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According to a 2017 systemic review of Hyperlexia data, 84% of children with Hyperlexia also have Autism, while 6-14% of children with Autism have Hyperlexia.
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The review also notes that there is no information about the prevalence of Hyperlexia in the general population.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
People with ADHD struggle to stay motivated, organized, or concentrated on tasks they need or want to complete. They may also move restlessly or struggle to resist impulses.​
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​The CDC also reports that 14% of people with ADHD also have Autism, and 1% of people with ADHD also have Tourette Syndrome.
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Although CDC data based on parent reports from 2016-2018 claim that Black people have the highest prevalence of ADHD at 16.9%, a 2021 study by Shi et al. found that overall White children had the highest rate of diagnosed ADHD at 14.19% followed by Black children at 11.97%, Black children were also less likely to receive any treatment for their ADHD compared to White children, and the study notes that the difference in diagnosis and treatment may be impacted by parent's concerns about racism in health care or care preferences.
Tourette Syndrome (TS)
People with Tourette Syndrome repeat involuntary movements or vocalizations called tics. Tics change over time and can be mild or more intense.
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The CDC also notes that 52% of individuals with TS also have ADHD, while 21% also had Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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Although a 2009 report by the CDC also states that White people are 2x more likely to be diagnosed with TS than Black and Hispanic people, 2016-2017 estimates state that children from all racial and socio-economic backgrounds had similar TS diagnosis rates. These changes over time indicate more equality in the diagnosis process for TS.