Massachusetts: Considering Culture in Autism Screening

April 6, 2015

  http://www.maactearly.org/

During the 2015 AMCHP Annual Conference, Massachusetts state team leads presented a skills-based training session on its Considering Culture in Autism Screening curriculum. This interactive, case-based training session focused on about culturally competent screening, evaluation, and referral to intervention services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)/developmental disabilities (DD). Elaine Gabovitch and Dr. Roula Choueiri of the UMass Medical School led participants in a lively discussion on the screening and identification needs of families of young children with ASD/DD from immigrant backgrounds.

Considering Culture is modeled after the CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early" Autism Case Training curriculum to train pediatricians and other providers in culturally competent screening, evaluation, and referral to intervention services for children with ASD/DD. Through sharing two case studies, videotaped interviews with parents from several cultures, didactic information and supplementary handouts, the participants explored a number of relevant themes and shared novel information. Materials from the conference session can be found here.

Massachusetts will also be hosting a SPHARC Peer-to-Peer Exchange on "Considering Culture" for state planning and implementation grantees this June at the Boston Children's Museum. SPHARC's Peer-to-Peer Exchange program is a mechanism for states to learn from one other about building systems of care for children and youth with autism, share lessons learned and best practices, and develop plans of action for moving ahead.