Implementing an intervention to address challenging behaviors for autism spectrum disorder in publicly-funded mental health services: Therapist and parent perceptions of delivery with Latinx families.

Abstract

The themes provide specific direction for enhancements to AIM HI to maximize engagement of Latinx families. The themes also have broader implications for intervention development and community implementation including refinement of EBPs to facilitate fit and sustained implementation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Using stakeholder perspectives to guide systematic adaptation of an autism mental health intervention for Latinx families: A qualitative study

“…Consistent with this emerging approach, stakeholder recommendations, along with themes identified in our prior qualitative study (Chlebowski et al, ), are currently being used to inform the development of an intervention toolkit and training plan designed to enhance the AIM HI intervention for delivery with Latinx families. The toolkit, AIM HI EQUIPO , is designed to address two key targets to improve AIM HI delivery: (a) Increase parent understanding of ASD diagnosis and the role of parents in their child's mental health care; and (b) develop a collaborative and trusting relationship between parent and therapist to facilitate active parent engagement in their child's mental health treatment.…”

“…This study used a targeted qualitative approach to identify therapist and parent recommendations to inform cultural enhancements to community implementation of AIM HI. Data were collected as part of a supplemental disparities study (Chlebowski et al, ) embedded within a Hybrid Type 1 randomized effectiveness‐implementation trial and was implemented in direct response to calls for a selective and directed approach to inform and guide cultural adaptations to improve EBI quality and implementation outcomes (Bauman et al, ; Lau, ). The current study collected recommendations about proposed adaptations to intervention training, content, and delivery from therapists and Latinx parents who had previously delivered or received the AIM HI intervention.…”

“…Data were collected from a supplemental disparities study (Chlebowski et al, ) embedded within a Hybrid Type 1 effectiveness‐implementation trial of AIM HI (Brookman‐Frazee et al, ). Qualitative methods were used to gather targeted recommendations for AIM HI adaptations from a subgroup of therapists and Latinx parents who participated in the trial.…”

“…Initial analyses exploring the first goal used qualitative data collected from a subsample of Latinx parents and therapists delivering AIM HI (Chlebowski, Magaña, Wright, & Brookman‐Frazee, ).…”

“…Three primary themes emerged from stakeholders including, (a) the recognition by both parents and providers of the need to address gaps in Latinx parental knowledge about ASD; (b) the emergence of differing perceptions regarding parents' desire to participate in their child's mental health treatment, with therapists often perceiving a lack of parental interest in participation, while parents reported a strong motivation to participate, and (c) the identification of cultural influences that impact parent–therapist interactions during a child's therapy, including the cultural value of respeto /deference (emphasized by therapists), and importance of personalismo /personal connection (emphasized by parents; Chlebowski et al, ). These previous findings provide a starting place for identifying avenues to enhance the AIM HI intervention as well as more broadly facilitate the community implementation of parent‐mediated EBIs for Latinx families with a child with ASD.…”