Unique Minds, Unique Families: Adapting Autism-Specific Training for Somali Families

Abstract

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability that manifests uniquely amongst individuals, and autism-specific training can have positive impacts for individuals with autism and their families. However, family training is underutilized, especially for families who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD). When they do participate, many CLD families find that the training is not culturally appropriate, although adapting and tailoring have been acknowledged as integral to the implementation process. Thus, a three-study dissertation was conducted to further examine researcher-reporting regarding autism-specific family training and its practice for Somali families. The Somali community, a CLD group, was targeted as their rates of autism identification are disproportionately higher than any other racial or ethnic group. In Study 1, to understand more about autism-specific family training, a body of literature used to document parent-implemented interventions as an evidence-based practice was examined for variables that support practitioners’ ability to replicate the practice themselves, including demographic variables of individuals involved, social validity assessment, and the characteristics of ecological validity. Through interviews, Study 2 examined how practitioners implemented autism-specific training for Somali families, including what adaptations they made and why. Study 3 examined the barriers and facilitators the practitioners encountered during training for Somali families through interviews and online questionnaires. All studies point to the importance of supporting practitioners to provide high-quality autism-specific training for all families, including CLD families such as the Somali community, and discussions highlight action steps for all agents in the implementation process, including researchers, practitioners, organizations, and the larger community.