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Strategies for Disseminating Information on Biomedical Research on Autism to Hispanic Parents

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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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Author notes

  1. Cary Kreutzer

    Present address: University of Southern California Davis School of Gerontology, 3715 McClintock Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0191, USA

  2. Aron Munson

    Present address: Loma Linda University Medical Center, 30554 Colina Verde, Temecula, CA, 92592, USA

  3. Abe Kazemzadeh

    Present address: Vixlet, 3420 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #419, Los Angeles, CA, 90034, USA

  4. Roxana Cruz

    Present address: 1736 Family Crisis Center, 3434 Garnet St., Los Angeles, CA, 90023, USA

  5. Darryl Hwang

    Present address: USC Department of Radiology, Healthcare Consultation Center II, 1520 San Pablo St. L1600, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

  6. Irene Martinez

    Present address: Fiesta Educativa, Inc., P.O. Box 31285, Los Angeles, CA, 90031, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering, 3740 McClintock Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90089-2564, USA

    Clara M. Lajonchere, Shrikanth Narayanan, Abe Kazemzadeh & Darryl Hwang

  2. Autism Speaks, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Clara M. Lajonchere

  3. USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, MS 53, 4650 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA

    Barbara Y. Wheeler, Cary Kreutzer & Roxana Cruz

  4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Barbara Y. Wheeler & Cary Kreutzer

  5. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2001 N. Soto St, Room 302 W, Los Angeles, CA, 90032-3628, USA

    Thomas W. Valente & Aron Munson

  6. Fiesta Educativa, Inc., 161 South Avenue 24, Los Angeles, CA, 90031, USA

    Roxana Cruz & Irene Martinez

  7. Division of Hospital Medicine, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd., MS #94, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA

    Sheree M. Schrager

  8. University of Southern California Price School of Public Policy, 311 RGL, Los Angeles, CA, 90016, USA

    Lisa Schweitzer

  9. Iridescent, 532 W 22nd St., Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA

    Tara Chklovski & Darryl Hwang

Authors
  1. Clara M. Lajonchere
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  2. Barbara Y. Wheeler
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  4. Cary Kreutzer
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  5. Aron Munson
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  6. Shrikanth Narayanan
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  7. Abe Kazemzadeh
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  8. Roxana Cruz
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  9. Irene Martinez
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  10. Sheree M. Schrager
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Correspondence to Barbara Y. Wheeler.

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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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