Dr. Umar Johnson’s appearance on The Breakfast Club touched on several important issues surrounding Black and Afro-Latino children in the education and mental health system.
He emphasized that children as young as three or four years old are often prematurely diagnosed with autism or other conditions, which he believes leads to them being unnecessarily placed into special education.
He urges parents, especially Black and Afro-Latino parents, to be cautious and not rush into evaluations. According to Dr. Umar, special education can financially incentivize schools, as more funding is provided when children are diagnosed early.
Dr. Umar cautioned against diagnoses such as ADHD, conduct disorder, emotional disturbance, and intermittent explosive disorder in Black children, arguing that these often lead to prescription medication.
Dr Umar claims that the system is quick to medicate Black children rather than addressing underlying issues, such as the lack of physical activity and a stable home environment. He stresses that refusing medication could result in Child Protective Services becoming involved, labeling it as medical neglect.
Dr. Umar warned parents about signing paperwork they don’t fully understand, particularly regarding Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). He believes many children are unnecessarily placed in special education programs without their parents’ complete understanding, leading to poor educational outcomes.
He advocates for parents to proactively attend IEP meetings and ensure their children are not pushed into programs that stifle their academic potential.
Dr. Umar also expressed concerns about the focus on sports over academics in many Black households, suggesting that too much emphasis on athletics can detract from the importance of educational achievement.
Dr. Umar highlighted troubling statistics about Black boys’ literacy and math skills, advocating for a return to “Black excellence” through discipline, academic focus, and eliminating distractions like video games.
The Black community should own the education of its children. By establishing schools and investing in educators who understand and reflect the community, we can ensure that Black children receive the care, attention, and guidance they deserve.
Having teachers who look like the students they teach not only fosters a more nurturing environment but also combats the biases and systemic issues that too often lead to the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of Black children in traditional school settings.
Educators from the community can serve as role models, promote cultural pride, and advocate for the academic excellence of the children they teach.
They are more likely to understand these children's unique challenges and ensure that any interventions or supports are genuinely in the child’s best interest, not just quick solutions that lead to harmful outcomes like unnecessary medication or special education placements.
Building schools within the community, run by people who are invested in the future of these children, is a form of empowerment. It ensures that decisions are made with the community’s well-being in mind rather than being driven by external systems that may not have the same understanding or care.
This kind of investment would help break cycles of educational inequality and create a foundation for long-term growth and success.
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