Abstract
Low income Hispanic families experience multiple barriers to accessing evidence-based information on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This study utilized a mixed-strategy intervention to create access to information in published bio-medical research articles on ASD by distilling the content into parent-friendly English- and Spanish-language ASD Science Briefs and presenting them to participants using two socially-oriented dissemination methods. There was a main effect for short-term knowledge gains associated with the Science Briefs but no effect for the dissemination method. After 5 months, participants reported utilizing the information learned and 90 % wanted to read more Science Briefs. These preliminary findings highlight the potential benefits of distilling biomedical research articles on ASD into parent-friendly educational products for currently underserved Hispanic parents.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank the families who gave of their time and resources to participate in the research activities on which this manuscript is based and to acknowledge the critical role of Fiesta Educativa, Inc., our community partner. The quality of our findings would not have been possible without the funds of knowledge they brought to our research. The research and writing of this paper was supported by Grants #1RO3HG005040 and #1RC1 MH088600 from the National Institutes of Health. The opinons expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the sponsoring agencies.
Author Contributions
C.M.L. & B.Y.W. PI & Co-PI for grant & manuscript development; T.W.V., A.M., & S.M.S. outcome instruments, data collection and analysis; C.K. focus groups & product development; S.S.N. & A.K., automated telephone follow-up survey; I.M. & R.C., participant recruitment and support, culturally sensitive research practices; L.S. demographic survey and analysis; T.C. & D.H., university student science brief writers.
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Lajonchere, C.M., Wheeler, B.Y., Valente, T.W. et al. Strategies for Disseminating Information on Biomedical Research on Autism to Hispanic Parents. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 1038–1050 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2649-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2649-5