Meeting the Needs of Young Hispanic Autistic Children: Developing a Culturally and Linguistically Sensitive Intervention to Alleviate Core Social Challenges
The University of Texas at Dallas
Summary
Purpose of the Study: The goal of this clinical trial is to find out if a technique called the "mutual gaze procedure" used in a Culturally and Linguistically Responsive adaptation of Pathways Early Intervention (CLR-Pathways) is the key to improving social communication, language, and everyday skills in young (18-42 months) Hispanic autistic children experiencing low income. What Will Happen: Researchers will compare two versions of CLR-Pathways. * Version 1: Includes mutual gaze strategies. * Version 2: Does not include mutual gaze strategies. What to Expect: Participants will: * Attend 16 sessions (or 18 weeks if there are cancellations) of Pathways Intervention, each lasting 1.5 hours. * Come to the clinic for a developmental check-up three times: before starting Pathways, right after completing Pathways, and three months after finishing Pathways.
Description
Study Description: * Participants: 200 Hispanic autistic children experiencing low income and their caregivers will be randomly assigned to one of two groups in parallel: 1. Group 1: CLR-Pathways Intervention with mutual gaze strategies. 2. Group 2: CLR-Pathways Intervention without mutual gaze strategies. * Intervention Sessions: Participants will attend 16 sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours, over approximately 18 weeks (allowing for possible cancellations) of parent-mediated intervention in their homes or another convenient location. Assessments: To track progress and evaluate long-term…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 1–3 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Children must be from a Hispanic family experiencing low income, defined as having an income-to-needs ratio of \< 200% of the federal poverty level, determined by their household size * Children must be between 18-42 months old at the start of the study * Children must have no other known neurological or genetic concerns or disorders determined by parent report * Children must receive a Calibrated Severity Score (CSS) of 4 or higher on the Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) administered by a qualified bilingual assessment associate * Families must have a…
Interventions
- BehavioralCulturally and Linguistically Responsive Pathways Parent-Mediated Intervention without Mutual Gaze
Pathways-trained bilingual research clinicians will conduct 90-minute weekly coaching sessions with caregivers in the family's home or other convenient location. Caregivers will receive a written and audio version of the program manual which has been adapted to be culturally and linguistically responsive to the Hispanic community. Sessions will review information about social communication, social sensory routines, and using naturalistic developmental behavioral strategies. Interventionists will demonstrate intervention strategies and provide caregivers with feedback and self-reflection.
- BehavioralCulturally and Linguistically Responsive Pathways Parent-Mediated Intervention
Pathways-trained bilingual research clinicians will conduct 90-minute weekly coaching sessions with caregivers in the family's home or other convenient location. Caregivers will receive a written and audio version of the program manual which has been adapted to be culturally and linguistically responsive to the Hispanic community. Sessions will review information about social communication, infusing mutual gaze in social sensory routines, and using naturalistic developmental behavioral strategies. Interventionists will demonstrate intervention strategies and provide caregivers with feedback and self-reflection.
Locations (3)
- University of KansasLawrence, Kansas
- Catholic Charities of DallasDallas, Texas
- University of Texas at DallasRichardson, Texas