Exploring Latine Parent Leaders' and a Program Coordinator's Lived Experiences with a Culturally Adapted...

Area of Science:

• Parenting and Family Studies
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
• Community Health Programs

Background:

• Parent-led initiatives are crucial for supporting families with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Latine families often face unique challenges in accessing resources and support for ASD.
• Existing training programs may not adequately address the cultural needs of Latine parent leaders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of Latine parent leaders and a program coordinator in a parent-directed training program.
• To understand the impact of the training on personal growth, leadership development, and community building.
• To identify key elements for successful culturally adapted training programs for parents of children with ASD.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).
• In-depth interviews with 4 Latine parent leaders and 1 program coordinator.
• Focus on lived experiences within a parent-directed training program.

Main Results:

• Emergent themes included personal growth, leadership development, enhanced sense of connection and community.
• Participants reported contributing to a larger, meaningful purpose and applying new skills to support other parents.
• The importance of a safe, supportive community for Latine parent leaders and families affected by ASD was highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Culturally adapted, parent-directed training programs can significantly benefit Latine parent leaders.
• These programs foster individual development and strengthen community support networks for families with ASD.
• Creating safe and inclusive environments is essential for the success of such initiatives.