Exploring the effects of racism on Black autistic children and their caregivers

Racism and Resilience Among Black Autistic Children and Caregivers

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11060905

This study is looking at how racism and the stress that comes from it affect the mental health of Black parents who have autistic kids between the ages of 3 and 9, and it involves talking to 300 caregivers in North Carolina and Pennsylvania to better understand their experiences and how it impacts both them and their children.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11060905 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how racism and racial trauma affect the mental health of Black parents with autistic children aged 3 to 9. By examining the experiences of 300 Black caregivers in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, the study aims to understand the impact of these stressors on both the caregivers' well-being and their children's behavior and development. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data to capture the full scope of the Black experience in relation to autism. Community involvement is a key aspect, ensuring that the voices of those affected are central to the findings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Black parents or caregivers of autistic children aged 3 to 9 years old.

Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as Black or do not have autistic children within the specified age range may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved support systems and interventions for Black autistic children and their families.

How similar studies have performed: While there is existing research on racial disparities in health, this specific focus on Black autistic children and their caregivers is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions autism spectral disorderautism spectrum disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.