ImPACTO: Partnering for Autism Focused Social Communication Intervention With Transborder Latine Caregivers

The three major goals of this project are to (1) explore the experiences and needs of Latine transborder caregivers of young children with or at risk for autism, (2) adapt an evidence-based, caregiver-mediated social communication intervention for these caregivers, and (3) evaluate the feasibility and promise of the intervention for improving caregiver fidelity of intervention practices, family empowerment, and child social communication outcomes. During year 1, the PI will conduct a needs assessment to understand the sociocultural contexts and the intervention fit of caregiver-mediated NDBIs for Latine transborder caregivers with children with or at risk for autism. To accomplish this, they will conduct observations of early intervention practitioners (social workers, early interventionists, and behavioral therapists) implementing NDBIs in community settings, interviews with caregivers, and focus groups with early intervention practitioners. In year 2, findings from the needs assessment will be used to inform cultural adaptations to the intervention selected by community members. Adaptations will be made by the PI in collaboration with an advisory board composed of community leaders, the intervention developer, and caregivers. The NDBI manual will also be translated into Spanish using an iterative, team-based approach. During the final 2 years, the PI will conduct an iterative series of two single-case design (SCD) studies (one per year), with intervention revisions made between each study. After each SCD study, caregivers will be interviewed and coaches will participate in focus groups. Data will be analyzed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and promise of the adapted intervention as well as its cost.