 In other words, since autism is perceived as a special education issue, and since white  wealthy parents, communities, and schools disproportionately embrace special education programs, far more children are diagnosed with autism in those communities.

University of Wisconsin - Madison

- Difference in attitudes on race and socio-economic class lines.
- How these differences shape autism as rhetoric.


Cultural Biases Surrounding Special Education

Heilker, P. (2012). Autism, rhetoric, and Whiteness. Disability Studies Quarterly, 32(4). https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v32i4.1756 

Autism, Rhetoric, and Whiteness

How Cultural Biases For and Against Special Education effect Autism as Rhetoric

In a recent study of New York City suburbs it was found that "affluent school districts" have more than five times the number of students who they classify as autistic when compared to school districts on the opposite end of the economic spectrum.

The same report noted that many white parents actively sought out diagnosis and placements in special-education classes for the children out of the belief that the accommodations offered would positively improve their children's academic experience. Whereas Black and Hispanic parents tended to be warier of special-education placements since the education system's institutional racism which often leads to placement of Black and Hispanic students in classes beneath their ability level.

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