xMinds events, resources, and memberships are always FREE

xMinds Logo - xMinds in teal and dark blue where the X looks like a person with an orange head; followed by the words Partnership for Extraordinary MindsImproving education for autistic students in Montgomery County, MD

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)

Outreach Committee


Welcome to the webpage of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Outreach Committee (BIPOC) of xMinds. The BIPOC Committee strives to provide families of color in Montgomery County better access to the resources offered by xMinds.

The BIPOC Outreach Committee was formed in recognition of racial disparities among members of the autistic community, which have been caused by historical and institutional practices. This committee seeks to both cultivate additional resources related to the educational outcomes of BIPOC students and to increase access by families of color, including Spanish-speaking families, to the resources and programming offered by xMinds. 

The committee hosts the monthly People of the Global Majority virtual discussion group, geared toward MoCo parents/guardians of BIPOC students. This monthly online meetup offers a wonderful opportunity to find resources, make connections, and share successes. The group meets the first Monday of every month, 7:00 – 7:45 PM, on a drop-in basis. New participants are always welcome! Register here to receive the Zoom link.

Please note that inclusion of any organizations or resources on this page does not constitute an endorsement by xMinds.

Under-Identification and Delayed Diagnosis

Historically, a lower prevalence of autism has been shown among  the BIPOC population. Researchers have long suspected that this is due to disparities in identification, rather than true differences in prevalence.

Disparities in Discipline

Special needs students in the BIPOC community have elevated suspension and seclusion rates.

Local Resources


Activities

  • YMCA Adaptive Swim. Swim lessons are adapted for children with disabilities. 

  • KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)  pairs trained volunteers with a young person with disabilities for free, non-competitive one-to-one programs of exercise, fitness, and fun. 

Financial Resources

  • The Arc Montgomery County directly supports over 500 children, youth, adults, and families by providing child care, work skills training, employment opportunities, community living services, resources, advocacy, and respite care.

  • Low Intensity Support Services  uses an automated system called the Random Selection Process to select individuals who may be eligible for funding, granting up to $2,000 for services and items to address their needs.

  • My Turn, Montgomery County Health and Human Services, provides short term or one time only financial assistance to caregivers of children with developmental disabilities and assists caregivers with accessing information, linking to other community resources and designing individual support services.

Support Organizations

  • People of the Global Majority virtual discussion group, hosted by the xMinds BIPOC Outreach Committee. Geared toward MoCo parents/guardians of BIPOC students, this monthly online meetup offers a wonderful opportunity to find resources, make connections, and share successes. The group meets the first Monday of every month, 7:00 – 7:45 PM, on a drop-in basis. New participants are always welcome! Register here to receive the Zoom link.
  • DC Autism Parents (DCAP) connects DC families to much-needed resources to support early autism diagnosis and navigation throughout the lifespan, and provides a monthly support group to DC parents of autistic children.


Social Media




Organizations


  • Autism in Black provides support to Black parents who have a child on the spectrum, through educational and advocacy services. Sponsors the Autism in Black podcast.

  • The Color of Autism is a nonprofit organization committed to educating and assisting people of color with autistic children.

  • The Institute for Anti-Racist Education a nonprofit organization, led by former teachers, that works with school districts and educators to ensure that every child receives a fair and equal education.

Advocacy and Facilitation


  • Advocating 4 Kids Inc is a non-profit organization that provides training, resources and direct advocacy support to parents of children with disabilities, with a special focus on outreach to minority and/or lower social economic status families.

  • Free Special Education Advocacy Advice is available to parents in Montgomery County, including assistance from xMinds, Parents Place of Maryland, and Disability Rights Maryland. These services are available in Spanish and English.

  • Special Education Excellence for Underserved Students (SEEUS), run by Weinfeld Education Group, provides no-cost, expert, special education advocacy to Black students with special needs whose education has been impacted by systemic racism.


Additional Resources


Webinars and Videos



Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software