“Don’t Label Them”: Why Parents From Immigrant Families Delay Diagnoses of Autism, ADHD, and Learning Challenges

"They’ll catch up."

"Don’t make something out of nothing. Labels will only hold them back.” If you’ve ever tried to bring up concerns about your child’s development in a Latinx household, chances are you’ve heard something like this.

The comments come from a place of love. And survival. But when we tell parents to wait and see, to keep quiet, or to protect their children by not “making it a thing,” we often delay the very support that child needs most. Autism,
ADHD, Dyslexia, Language disorders, Sensory sensitivities, these aren’t problems. They’re neurodevelopmental differences and in our community, they’re often misread, misunderstood, and misdiagnosed—or never diagnosed at all. Often blamed on poor parenting, being lazy, not trying hard enough, or simply “malcriades.”

Why We Wait: Familismo, Fear, and Cultural Silence

In many Latinx families, familismo—a deep sense of unity and loyalty to extended family—is sacred. Elders are respected. Decisions are made collectively. That’s a beautiful strength. It can also pose challenges when a parent expresses concern about a child being different, or discusses concerns about speech, behavior, or focus. The parent may be met with dismissal instead of support.

“No tiene nada.”
“No exageres.”
“Todos los niños diferente.”

These phrases are meant to soothe. But they can invalidate and they can make parents second-guess what they already feel in their gut. For many caregivers—especially those in immigrant households—there’s a learned fear of drawing attention to ourselves. We’ve seen what happens when people in our community speak up: they’re often ignored, misjudged, or penalized. So we stay quiet. We avoid labels. We wait.

What Happens When We Don’t Name It

When we delay diagnosis, we don’t spare our children hardship—we just delay help. Kids with autism who could benefit from speech therapy go unsupported. Kids with ADHD are seen as “bad” instead of curious and active.
Kids with dyslexia are told they’re not trying hard enough. All the while, parents carry the burden—navigating school calls, behavior notes, emotional meltdowns, and internal shame that maybe they did something wrong.

Naming a need doesn’t create it. It acknowledges it. Only when things are acknowledged can we respond.

Systems Are Also To Blame. It’s not just about culture.

Studies show that Latinx and other BIPOC children are diagnosed later and less accurately across autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Why? Because racism has shaped how providers listen (or don’t), how schools label behavior, and who is believed when a parent raises a concern. Language barriers, lack of culturally responsive care, financial hurdles, and fear of institutional judgment all make it harder to speak up. So when families say, “We don’t want to create problems,” it’s not ignorance. It’s protection. It’s history. And it’s pain.

Early Evaluation Isn’t About Labels—It’s About Access

Diagnosing a learning difference or neurodivergence isn’t about boxing a child in. It’s about unlocking support that actually fits them.

An autism diagnosis might mean:

• Access to speech and occupational therapy

• Visual supports in the classroom

• Social communication coaching

An ADHD diagnosis might lead to:

• Executive functioning support

• Movement breaks during class

• A teacher who understands the difference between defiance and dysregulation

A learning disability diagnosis could open the door to:

• Multisensory reading instruction

• Extra time on tests

• Self-esteem rebuilding

None of that happens if we don’t name the need.

What I Tell the Families I Work With

You’re not imagining things. You’re not being dramatic. And you’re definitely not failing.

I’ve worked with so many Latinx parents who said, “I wish I had trusted myself earlier.”
Not once have I heard, “I wish I had waited longer.” Your child is not broken. They are beautifully, brilliantly wired for the world in their own way. And with the right supports, they don’t just get by—they rise.

At Wellbunch we offer autism, ADHD, and learning disability evaluations for children in Orlando Florida—with a trauma-informed, culturally affirming approach.

Whether we’re the right fit for your family or not, reach out. Our goal is to support you—or help you find someone who can. Click the “Contact” link to schedule a free consult. I’d love to hear from you.