Caregiver Experiences of Racialization While Accessing Early Intervention (EI) Services for their Children

Early intervention (EI) services—including but not limited to speech, physical, occupational, and mental health therapies—have been proven to significantly benefit young children’s development, shaping their readiness for school and offering pivotal support for caregivers. However, racial disparities persist in identification for and access to EI services. Little is known about the ways in which racism affects how caregivers experience and navigate the screening and EI referral process. Through in-depth qualitative interviews, we explored the experiences of nine minoritized caregivers with experience seeking EI services in the San Francisco Bay Area. Using Critical Race Theory, we investigated how caregivers are racialized in the process. Our findings elucidate mechanisms of racialization, including but not limited to provider bias, managing stereotype threat, and dismissal of caregiver concerns. We also highlight ways in which such racialization contributes to disparities in who receives EI services. Understanding how this process racializes its users will elucidate pathways of change toward a more equitable system, in which minoritized children receive screening and early intervention services in a timely and appropriate manner.