Enhancing MRI accessibility through community engagement for autistic young adults

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging research
• Autism research
• Community-engaged research

Background:

• Autistic individuals often face barriers in accessing neuroimaging, such as MRI scans.
• Existing MRI protocols may not adequately address the sensory and psychological needs of autistic individuals, particularly young adults from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) offers a framework to address these disparities by centering community voices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance MRI accessibility and optimize the experience for autistic Latino young adults.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to MRI participation within this specific demographic.
• To inform the development of more inclusive and culturally responsive MRI protocols.

Main Methods:

• A Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach was utilized.
• Data were collected from 18 autistic Latino young adults (ages 18-25) through focus groups (n=9, MRI-naïve) and individual interviews (n=9, prior MRI experience).
• Thematic analysis was performed on transcripts from Community Scientist meetings and participant sessions.

Main Results:

• Primary barriers included initial apprehension and the sensory experience of MRI noise.
• Participants emphasized the need for enhanced preparation, including mock scanner simulations and accessible information.
• Human connection, staff support, personalized results, and compensation were identified as key facilitators for participation.

Conclusions:

• CBPR is effective in identifying specific needs and preferences of autistic Latino young adults regarding MRI.
• Actionable insights were generated to improve MRI protocols, focusing on comfort, transparency, and cultural responsiveness.
• Implementing these recommendations can foster greater participation of autistic adults in neuroimaging research.