Minnesota researchers began an ongoing study into whether or not there is a higher incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Somali children. With funding from the CDC, the National Institute on Health, and Autism Speaks, they began conducting the Somali Autism Surveillance study in July of 2011. They are only studying children in public schools, which is a potentional serious limitation because many Somali students attend private schools. Researchers also indicated that they've had issues getting access to medical records-- because parents are refusing access and the majority of the children who were born in Somalia have no medical records prior to entering the U.S. Here is a link to the Minnesota study.
Also from Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Health created Autism resources in Somali.
For those of you who work with Somali students, this information will hopefully serve as a starting point for important conversations.
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