Cultural Adaptations to Parent-Mediated Autism Spectrum Disorder Interventions for Latin American Families: A Scoping Review
Publication: American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Volume 31, Number 3
Pages 1517-1534
Abstract
Purpose:
This scoping review maps research in parent-mediated autism spectrum disorder interventions culturally adapted for Latin American populations, to provide an overview of the available evidence across perspectives and disciplines and to identify gaps in the research knowledge base.
Method:
A systematic search for relevant articles was conducted using six databases and archival and forward hand searches of articles that met inclusion criteria. Titles and abstracts were reviewed by three authors, followed by full-text reviews of remaining articles. Twenty-one articles met inclusion criteria and were retained for data extraction. The ecological validity framework was used to frame data analysis and results.
Results:
In total, 19 studies described unique implementations of 16 different interventions, which spanned 21 articles, representing a range of study designs and implementing a variety of adaptations. Most adaptations consisted of surface-structure changes, spanning the dimensions of language, concepts, methods, context, and persons. Few articles were identified that described international studies or studies examining direct parent-mediated strategies with large sample sizes and strong methodological designs.
Conclusions:
Several intervention adaptations that have potential for clinical utility are presented. Clinicians working with Latin American families are encouraged to discuss potential adaptations openly with families before choosing and implementing specific strategies.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Aguilar, J. (2018). The effects of culturally-based accommodations on behavioral skills training [Unpublished dissertation] . University of Missouri-Columbia.
Al Maskari, T., Melville, C., & Willis, D. (2018). Systematic review: Cultural adaptation and feasibility of screening for autism in non-English speaking countries. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 12(22), 1–19.
Alonso-Esteban, Y., Marco, R., Hedley, D., Uljarevié, M., Barbaro, J., Canal-Bedia, R., & Alcantud-Marín, F. (2020). Screening instruments for early detection of autism spectrum disorder in Spanish speaking communities. Psicothema, 32(2), 245–252. http://proxy01.its.virginia.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2020-61798-011&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Althoff, C. E., Dammann, C. P., Hope, S. J., & Ausderau, K. K. (2019). Parent-mediated interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(3), 1–13.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.) .
Beaton, D., Bombardier, C., Guillemin, F., & Ferraz, M. (2000). Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. Spine, 25(24), 3186–3191.
Bernal, G., Bonilla, J., & Bellido, C. (1995). Ecological validity and cultural sensitivity for outcome research: Issues for the cultural-adaptation and development of psychosocial treatments with Hispanics. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 23(1), 67–82.
Blanche, E., Diaz, J., Barretto, T., & Cermak, S. (2015). Caregiving experiences of Latino families with children with autism spectrum disorder. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(5), 1–11. http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&PAGE=reference&D=emed13&NEWS=N&AN=26356658
Bucio, M. O. (2017). Improving conversational communication in Mexican-American children with autism in their native language via parent-implemented self-management [Unpublished dissertation] . University of California at Santa Barbara. http://proxy01.its.virginia.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2017-05716-135&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Burke, M., Magaña, S., Garcia, M., & Mello, M. (2016). Brief report: The feasibility and effectiveness of an advocacy program for Latino families of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(7), 2532–2538.
Burke, M., Rios, K., Lopez, B., Garcia, M., & Magana, S. (2018). Improvements in proxy individualized education program meeting participation among Latino parents. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 53, 393–404.
Buzhardt, J., Rusinko, L., Heitzman-Powell, L., Trevino-Maack, S., & McGrath, A. (2015). Exploratory evaluation and initial adaptation of a parent training program for Hispanic families of children with autism. Family Process, 55(1), 107–122.
Castro, F., Balcazar, H., & Cota, M. (2007). Health promotion in Latino populations: Program planning, development, and evaluation. In M. V. Kline & Huff, R. M. (Eds.), Health promotion in multicultural populations: A handbook for practitioners and students (2nd ed., pp. 222–253). SAGE.
Castro, F., Barrera, M., & Holleran Steiker, L. (2010). Issues and challenges in the design of culturally adapted evidence-based interventions. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 6(1), 213–239.
Castro, F., Barrera, M., & Martinez, C. (2004). The cultural adaptation of prevention interventions: Resolving tensions between fidelity and fit. Prevention Science, 5(1), 41–45.
Chlebowski, C., Hurwich-Reiss, E., Wright, B., & Brookman-Frazee, L. (2020). Using stakeholder perspectives to guide systematic adaptation of an autism mental health intervention for Latinx families: A qualitative study. Journal of Community Psychology, 48(4), 1194–1214.
Chlebowski, C., Magaña, S., Wright, B., & Brookman-Frazee, L. (2018). Implementing an intervention to address challenging behaviors for autism spectrum disorder in publicly-funded mental health services: Therapist and parent perceptions of delivery with Latinx families. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 24(4), 552–563.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. (2021). Evidence evaluation tools & resources (LEGEND). Retrieved May 10, 2021, from
Cintron, N. (2021). Comparing the effects of feedback types on caregiver training of Hispanic parents [Unpublished dissertation] . Rollins College.
Domenech-Rodríguez, M., Baumann, A., & Schwartz, A. (2011). Cultural adaptation of an evidence based intervention: From theory to practice in a Latino/a community context. American Journal of Community Psychology, 47(1–2), 170–186.
Domenech-Rodríguez, M., & Wieling, E. (2004). Developing culturally appropriate, evidence-based treatments for interventions with ethnic minority populations. In M. Rastogi & E. Wieling (Eds.), Voices of color: First-person accounts of ethnic minority therapists (pp. 313–333). Sage Publications.
DuBay, M., Nowell, W., & Watson, L. (2019). Focus on families. In R. Jordan, J. Roberts, & K. Hume (Eds.), The Sage handbook of autism and education (pp. 186–202). Sage Reference.
DuBay, M., & Watson, L. R. (2019). Translation and cultural adaptation of parent-report developmental assessments: Improving rigor in methodology. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 62, 55–65.
Elsabbagh, M., Divan, G., Koh, Y., Kim, Y., Kauchali, S., Marcín, C., Montiel-Nava, C., Patel, V., Paula, C., Wang, C., Yasamy, M., & Fombonne, E. (2012). Global prevalence of autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. Autism Research, 5(3), 160–179.
Falicov, C. (2009). Commentary: On the wisdom and challenges of culturally attuned treatments for Latinos. Family Process, 48(2), 292–309.
Gevarter, C., Najar, A. M., Flake, J., Tapia-Alvidrez, F., & Lucero, A. (2022). Naturalistic communication training for early intervention providers and Latinx parents of children with signs of autism. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 34, 147–169.
Gonzalez, M. C. (2015). Evaluation of family functioning following parent participation in recreational intervention for children with autism [Unpublished dissertation] . Alder School of Professional Psychology.
Green, J., Pickles, A., Pasco, G., Bedford, R., Wan, M. W., Elsabbagh, M., Slonims, V., Gliga, T., Jones, E. J. H., Cheung, C. H. M., Charman, T., & Johnson, M. H. (2017). Randomised trial of a parent-mediated intervention for infants at high risk for autism: Longitudinal outcomes to age 3years. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 58(12), 1330–1340.
Gulsrud, A. C., Hellemann, G., Shire, S., & Kasari, C. (2016). Isolating active ingredients in a parent-mediated social communication intervention for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 57(5), 606–613.
Haebig, E., McDuffie, A., & Weismer, S. (2013). The contribution of two categories of parent verbal responsiveness to later language for toddlers and preschoolers on the autism spectrum. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 22(1), 57–70.
Halgunseth, L., Ispa, J., & Rudy, D. (2006). Parental control in Latino families: An integrated review of the literature. Child Development, 77(5), 1282–1297.
Harwood, R., Leyendecker, B., Carlson, V., Asencio, M., & Miller, A. (2002). Parenting among Latino families in the U.S. In M. Bornstein (Ed.), Handbook of parenting: Vol. 4: Social conditions and applied parenting (2nd ed., pp. 21–46). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.
Hwang, W. (2006). The psychotherapy adaptation and modification framework: Application to Asian Americans. American Psychologist, 61(7), 702–715.
Iland, E., Weiner, I., & Murawski, W. (2012). Obstacles faced by Latina mothers of children with autism. Californian Journal of Health Promotion, 10, 25–36.
Ingersoll, B., Wainer, A., Berger, N., Pickard, K., & Bonter, N. (2016). Comparison of a self-directed and therapist-assisted telehealth parent-mediated intervention for children with ASD: A pilot RCT. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(7), 2275–2284.
Kuhn, J. L., Vanegas, S. B., Salgado, R., Borjas, S. K., Magaña, S., & Smith DaWalt, L. (2020). The cultural adaptation of a transition program for Latino families of youth with autism spectrum disorder. Family Process, 59(2), 477–491.
Kumpfer, K., & Whiteside, H. (2008). Cultural adaptation process for international dissemination of the Strengthening Families Program. Evaluation & the Health Professions, 31(2), 226–239.
Lau, A. (2006). Making the case for selective and directed cultural adaptations of evidence-based treatments: Examples from parent training. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 13(4), 295–310.
Ledford, J. R., Hall, E., Conder, E., & Lane, J. D. (2016). Research for young children with autism spectrum disorders: Evidence of social and ecological validity. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 35(4), 223–233.
Lee, J. D., & Meadan, H. (2020). Parent-mediated interventions for children with ASD in low-resource settings: A scoping review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 8(3), 285–298.
Luelmo, P., & Kasari, C. (2021). Randomized pilot study of a special education advocacy program for Latinx/minority parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 25(6), 1809–1815.
Magaña, S., Lopez, K., & Machalicek, W. (2017). Parents taking action: A psycho-educational intervention for Latino parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Family Process, 56(1), 59–74.
Magaña, S., Lopez, K., Salkas, K., Iland, E., Morales, M., Garcia Torres, M., Zeng, W., & Machalicek, W. (2020). A randomized waitlist-control group study of a culturally tailored parent education intervention for Latino parents of children with ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(1), 250–262.
Magaña, S., Tejero Hughes, M., Salkas, K., Gonzales, W., Núñez, G., Morales, M., Garcia Torres, M., & Moreno-Angarita, M. (2021). Implementing a parent education intervention in Colombia: Assessing parent outcomes and perceptions across delivery modes. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 36(3), 165–175.
Magaña, S., Tejero Hughes, M., Salkas, K., & Moreno Angarita, M. (2019). Adapting an education program for parents of children with autism from the United States to Colombia. Disability and the Global South, 6, 1603–1621. http://www.dgsjournal.org
Martinez, C. R., & Eddy, J. M. (2005). Effects of culturally adapted Parent Management Training on Latino youth behavioral health outcomes. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(5), 841–851.
Martinez-Torres, K., Boorom, O., Nogueira Peredo, T., Camarata, S., & Lense, M. D. (2021). Using the ecological validity model to adapt parent-involved interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder in the Latinx community: A conceptual review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 116, 104012.
McDaniel, J., Yoder, P., Crandall, M., Millan, M. E., Ardel, C. M., Gengoux, G. W., & Hardan, A. Y. (2020). Effects of pivotal response treatment on reciprocal vocal contingency in a randomized controlled trial of children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 24(6), 1566–1571.
McIntyre, L. L., Neece, C. L., Sanner, C. M., Rodriguez, G., & Safer-Lichtenstein, J. (2021). Telehealth delivery of a behavioral parent training program to Spanish-speaking Latinx parents of young children with developmental delay: Applying an implementation framework approach. School Psychology Review. Advance online publication.
Meadan, H., Adams, N. B., Hacker, R. E., Ramos-Torres, S., & Fanta, A. (2019). Supporting Spanish-speaking families with children with disabilities: Evaluating a training and coaching program. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 32(3), 489–507.
Mirza, M., Magaña, S., Stoffel, A., Xu, Y., & Kim, Y. (2020). Piloting a family-centered intervention to promote participation among Latino children with autism spectrum disorder: A comparison of two delivery modes. Annals of International Occupational Therapy, 3(2), 57–67.
National Research Council. (2001). Educating children with autism. National Academy Press, Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education.
Neece, C. L., Chan, N., Klein, K., Roberts, L., & Fenning, R. M. (2019). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for parents of children with developmental delays: Understanding the experiences of Latino families. Mindfulness, 10(6), 1017–1030.
Nevill, R. E., Lecavalier, L., & Stratis, E. A. (2018). Meta-analysis of parent-mediated interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 22(2), 84–98.
Papas, R. K., Sidle, J. E., Martino, S., Baliddawa, J. B., Songole, R., Omolo, O. E., Gakinya, B. N., Mwaniki, M. M., Adina, J. O., Nafula, T., Owino-Ong'Or, W. D., Bryant, K. J., Carroll, K. M., Goulet, J. L., Justice, A. C., & Maisto, S. A. (2010). Systematic cultural adaptation of cognitive–behavioral therapy to reduce alcohol use among HIV-infected outpatients in Western Kenya. AIDS and Behavior, 14(3), 669–678.
Peters, M. D. J., Godfrey, C. M., Khalil, H., McInerney, P., Parker, D., & Soares, C. B. (2015). Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews. International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 13(3), 141–146.
Proctor, E., Landsverk, J., Aarons, G., Chambers, D., Glisson, C., & Mittman, B. (2009). Implementation research in mental health services: An emerging science with conceptual, methodological, and training challenges. Administration Policy in Mental Health, 36(1), 24–34.
Resnicow, K., Soler, R., Braithwaite, R., Ahluwalia, J., & Butler, J. (2000). Cultural sensitivity in substance use prevention. Journal of Community Psychology, 28(3), 271–290.
Rios, K., Burke, M. M., & Aleman-Tovar, J. (2021). A study of the families included in Receiving Better Special Education Services (FIRME) Project for Latinx families of children with autism and developmental disabilities. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(10), 3662–3676.
Roberts, M., & Kaiser, A. (2011). The effectiveness of parent-implemented language interventions: A meta-analysis. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(3), 180–199.
Rogers, S., Estes, A., Lord, C., Vismara, L., Winter, J., Fitzpatrick, A., Guo, M., & Dawson, G. (2012). Effects of a brief Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)–based parent intervention on toddlers at risk for autism spectrum disorders: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51(10), 1052–1065.
Rose-Clarke, K., Pradhan, I., Shrestha, P., Prakash, B. K., Magar, J., Luitel, N. P., Devakumar, D., Rafaeli, A. K., Clougherty, K., Kohrt, B. A., Jordans, M. J. D., & Verdeli, H. (2020). Culturally and developmentally adapting group interpersonal therapy for adolescents with depression in rural Nepal. BMC Psychology, 8, Article 83.
Salomone, E., Pacione, L., Shire, S., Brown, F., Reichow, B., & Servili, C. (2019). Development of the WHO Caregiver Skills Training Program for developmental disorders or delays. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 1–9.
Schlosser, R. W., Belfiore, P. J., Sigafoos, J., Briesch, A. M., & Wendt, O. (2018). Appraisal of comparative single-case experimental designs for instructional interventions with non-reversible target behaviors: Introducing the CSCEDARS (“Cedars”). Research in Developmental Disabilities, 79, 33–52.
Siller, M., & Sigman, M. (2008). Modeling longitudinal change in the language abilities of children with autism: Parent behaviors and child characteristics as predictors of change. Developmental Psychology, 44(6), 1691–1704.
Stirman, S. W., Baumann, A. A., & Miller, C. J. (2019). The FRAME: An expanded framework for reporting adaptations and modifications to evidence-based interventions. Implementation Science, 14(1), 1–10.
The World Bank Group. (2021). Population, total - Latin America & Caribbean. The World Bank. Retrieved September 18, 2021, from
U.S. Census Bureau. (2021). Poverty thresholds. Retrieved September 18, 2021, from
van Kleeck, A. (1994). Potential cultural bias in training parents as conversational partners with their children who have delays in language development. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 3(1), 67–78.
Watson, L. R., Crais, E., Baranek, G., Turner-Brown, L., Sideris, J., Wakeford, L., Kinard, J., Reznick, J. S., Martin, K. L., & Nowell, S. W. (2017). Parent-mediated intervention for one-year-olds screened as at-risk for autism spectrum disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(11), 3520–3540.
Wetherby, A., Guthrie, W., Woods, J., Schatschneider, C., Holland, R., Morgan, L., & Lord, C. (2014). Parent-implemented social intervention for toddlers with autism: An RCT. Pediatrics, 134(6), 1084–1093.
Wingood, G., & DiClemente, R. (2008). The ADAPT-ITT Model: A novel method of adapting evidence-based HIV interventions. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 47(Suppl. 1), S40–S46.
Zayas, L., & Solari, F. (1994). Early childhood socializations in Hispanic families: Context, culture, and practice implications. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 25(3), 200–206.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Volume 31 • Number 3 • May 2022
Pages: 1517-1534
PubMed: 35302877
Copyright
Copyright © 2022 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
History
- Received: Aug 4, 2021
- Revised: Oct 18, 2021
- Accepted: Jan 4, 2022
- Published online: Mar 18, 2022
- Published in issue: May 10, 2022
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Article Metrics
View all metricsCitations
Download article citation data for:
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.
Citing Literature
- Fernanda A Castellón, Ana Dueñas, Paul Luelmo, Sacrifice, uncertainty, and resilience: Qualitative study of U.S./Mexico border mothers of autistic children, Autism, 10.1177/13623613251322059, (2025).
- So Yoon Kim, So-Yeon Kim, Hyunjo Ji, Wn-ho Yoon, Kristen Gillespie-Lynch, Can a Culturally Adapted Autism Training Reduce Stigma Towards Autistic People in South Korea?, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10.1007/s10803-024-06664-0, (2024).
- James D. Lee, Veronica Y. Kang, Gospel Kim, Sehee Jung, Sean Joo, Haemi Kim, Jinsun Son, Karen Bearss, Cultural Adaptation of RUBI Intervention with Korean Families (K-RUBI): A Mixed Method Study, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10.1007/s10803-024-06599-6, (2024).
- Michaela DuBay, Kristina Rios, Daniel Montenegro, Karen Guerra, Exploring the Experiences of Latina Mothers in a Culturally Tailored Early Parent-Mediated Neurodevelopmental Intervention, Infants & Young Children, 10.1097/IYC.0000000000000273, 37, 4, (273-293), (2024).
- Gloria Soto, Jennifer Vega, Designing Cultural Adaptations of Caregiver-Implemented Interventions for Latinx Caregivers of Children Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Key Considerations, American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 10.1044/2024_AJSLP-24-00101, 33, 5, (2266-2279), (2024).
- Amber M Davis, Gyasi Burks-Abbott, Octaviano Merecias, Bonnie K Swenor, Autism interventions designed or adapted for the Black/African American population: A systematic review, Autism, 10.1177/13623613241259910, 29, 1, (26-40), (2024).
- James D. Lee, Michael D. Pullmann, Wendy L. Stone, Jill Locke, An Implementation Toolkit to Enhance Evidence-Based Practice Among Marginalized Families: A Study Protocol, Global Implementation Research and Applications, 10.1007/s43477-024-00127-5, (2024).
- Erin E. Kosloski, Siddhi D. Patel, Pamela Rosenthal Rollins, The Role of Pathways Early Autism Intervention in Improving Social Skills and Respeto for Young Hispanic Autistic Children, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10.1007/s10803-024-06419-x, (2024).
- Mark Guiberson, Culturally Responsive Literacy Interventions in Speech-Language Pathology: A Scoping Review, Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10.1044/2024_PERSP-24-00008, 9, 4, (1165-1175), (2024).
- Natalie S. Pak, Tatiana Nogueira Peredo, Ana Paula Madero Ucero, Ann P. Kaiser, EMT en Español Para Autismo: A Collaborative Communication Intervention Approach and Single Case Design Pilot Study, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10.1007/s10803-024-06322-5, (2024).
- See more
View Options
Sign In Options
ASHA member? If so, log in with your ASHA website credentials for full access.
Member Login