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Latin american mother playing with her small dark skinned hispanic daughter outdoor, in summer time. Bright blurred background.

Hispanic & Latino Autism Project

Program Contact

Lady Rios-Vega OTD, OTR/L, CASI
  • Co-Principal Investigator
  • Research Associate, Jefferson Autism Center of Excellence
  • Adjunct Faculty, Department of Occupational Therapy

Community Stakeholders

This project engages a diverse range of stakeholders

Advisory Board Partners

The project is guided by three advisory boards supporting the research team throughout the project and its dissemination. The boards include Hispanic and Latino autistic individuals, parents and caregivers, occupational therapists, teachers, autism experts, and cultural experts. By taking a humble approach, we hope to improve access to evidence-based interventions, reduce health disparities, and improve the relationship between therapists and culturally diverse clients. They include:

  • Parents of autistic children
  • Autistic adults
  • Occupational therapists (OTs)
  • Teachers and educators
  • Cultural experts
  • Autism specialists
  • Members of the research team
The advisory boards and functions are:
Stakeholder Research Steering Committee (SRSC)
  • Planning and directing the project to dissemination. ​
  • Tracking the data monitoring and safety plan.​ 
  • Evaluating the information available on recruitment of the Hispanic/Latino community.​
  • Evaluating the recruitment materials and ensuring cultural sensitivity and effectiveness.​​
  • Providing input on study processes as the study moves forward. ​
  • Providing input to solve any challenge presented throughout the project. 
Stakeholder Advisory Board (SAB)
  • Informing, consulting, and collaborating on the project implementation
  • Providing input on the methods used for data collection
  • Providing input on the methods used for data analysis 
  • Providing input on the organization and implementation of the focus groups and design thinking sessions ​
  • Identifying recruitment sites and events​
  • Identifying retention challenges​
  • Problem-solving recruitment challenges. ​ 
  • Assisting with the project’s progress monitoring
Evaluation/Dissemination Stakeholder Advisory Board (EDSAB)
  • Informing and advising on dissemination methods throughout the project.​
  • Discussing findings from the comparison of the two methods.​
  • Assisting in the preparation of dissemination materials to ensure they are delivered in a culturally sensitive and relevant manner​
  • Identifying opportunities to reach medical providers, policymakers, therapeutic centers, etc. for dissemination purposes​
  • Evaluating the dissemination methods and modifying them as needed to assist with knowledge translation.

Focus Group & Design Thinking Session Participants

Participants will join one of our engagement sessions, which are held in the tri-state area (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware). During these sessions, they will share their experiences with therapy use and access. Months after the sessions, participants will review the adapted OT-ASI manual and complete a survey on its acceptability and usability. 

Eligible participants for these sessions include:

  • Hispanic/Latino caregivers of autistic children.
  • Hispanic/Latino autistic adults who receive/have received therapeutic services.
  • Occupational therapists (OTS and COTAs) providing/have provided services to the Hispanic/Latinx autistic community.
  • Teachers serving autistic children who are part of the Hispanic/Latinx community.
  • Must live or work within PA, NJ or DE.
Participate Here
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