Disseminating Scientific Information on Autism to the Latino Community
Project Description:
This NIMH-funded proof of concept pilot project utilizes theories of health communication and relationship-oriented social marketing strategies to develop and field-test a prototype for distilling scientific articles on Autism Spectrum Disorders to underserved communities. Scientific papers are translated into consumer-friendly, audience-defined Science Briefs and disseminated as informational products to Latino families who have limited access to scientific evidence due to literacy and cultural barriers. The project is field-testing the utilization of graduate students in engineering and related fields to develop these ?Science Briefs? as a model that may be replicated around the country. In addition, this project will be conducting socio-spatial knowledge network research in an effort to describe how community-based organizations educate under-served (frequently limited literacy) populations and what factors related to the socio-spatial configuration of informal and formal resources may impact knowledge transfer for this audience. Partners for this grant include Fiesta Educativa, Iridescent (a science education non-profit), and USC Faculty Drs. Lisa Schweitzer of the USC School of Policy, Planning and Development, Tom Valente of the Institute for Preventive Research, KSOM, and Shri Narayanan, VSOE. Disseminating Scientific Information on Autism to the Latino Community builds on Lajonchere and Wheeler?s current NIH Partners in Research grant (with community partner Fiesta Educativa), entitled A Model for Inclusion of Latinos in Bio-medical and Genetic Research, which is exploring why Latinos are under-represented in bio-medical and genetic research and field-testing the concept of Community Research Ambassadors to build a bridge between Latino families of children with disabilities and the scientific community.
Clara Lajonchere, Ph.D., PI, USC Center for Phenomic and Genomic Studies of Autism and Autism Speaks
Barbara Wheeler, Ph.D., Co-PI, USC UCEDD, CHLA
Keyword(s):
ASD, science brief, knowledge transfer, Latino, translational research
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Health-Related Activities, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other - Leadership, Other
Target Audience:
Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
