Lack of information and resources can make autism diagnosis a real struggle for a family, especially for those who live in minority and non-white communities and who tend to be historically underserved.

Information is the key to access to healthcare and resources that children with special needs require. For that reason, social worker Karen Krivit and a team of Drexel television management students have created a documentary series focused on how families from ethnic minorities live with autism.

“When families know what their child needs, they can advocate better for them,” Krivit said. “When more families get more information about autism, it’s going to help raise the level of services and support for kids who may live in underserved communities.”

Last year Krivit and her team produced a video focused on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Asian and Asian-American families. This spring they extended the series to the African American community. Now, the team has featured Latino and Hispanic families in “Autism for Hispanic and Latino Families”.

The first screening will be held July 29 (from 3 to 4 p.m.) at the Wyoming Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia (231 E Wyoming Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19120). The next opportunity to watch the documentary will be August 10 (from 6 to 7 p.m.), the screening will take place at the Charles Santore Library of the Free Library of Philadelphia (932 S 7th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147).

The video is available in both English and Spanish, with subtitles. Both events are sponsored by the Philadelphia Autism Project in partnership with the ASERT Collaborative, Elwyn and The Free Library of Philadelphia.

The documentary series was created for the Philadelphia Autism Project and its goal is ¨to examine the services and supports for individuals and families including underserved and underrepresented population living with ADS in the city of Philadelphia,¨ according to Drexel’s news site. For more information visit phillyautismproject.org or contact phillyap@drexel.edu or 877.231.4244.