Lessons learned from a statewide needs assessment of Asian American families of children with developmental disabilities

The prevalence of developmental disabilities (DDs) has increased in the past decades. As Asian Americans (AA) represent one of the fastest-growing racial groups in the U.S., it is likely that there are a large number of AA children with DD. Racial disparities among individuals with DDs have been well-documented, yet few studies have comprehensively examined AA parents' experiences accessing diagnostic, therapeutic, or support services for their children with DD. This research gap exists, in part, due to the practical and methodological challenges in conducting culturally responsive research with AA families. In this 'Points of View' article, we describe our process of conducting a statewide, community-engaged needs assessment of AA parents of children with DD. We hope the lessons learned from this process will inform and promote future research engaging AA communities, and ultimately, help grow the body of evidence on underrepresented families of children with DD.