3 - (SYM 22) A Mixed Methods Examination of Clinician Resource Needs and Predictors of Adaptation for Minoritized Families in Community Settings

Clinicians serving autistic children in community settings report minimal training in culturally responsive practices (Mathur & Rodriguez, 2021), highlighting the need to identify resources that support adapting interventions for racial, ethnic, and linguistically minoritized families. This mixed-methods study explores factors influencing adaptation frequency and resource needs for adapting Project ImPACT (PI), a behavioral parent mediated intervention, for minoritized families.

A total of 142 clinicians who had implemented PI within the past six months as part of their usual practice completed an online survey. They reported on PI training experiences, professional background (years of professional experience, number of PI clients), adaptation frequency (1 = never, 5 = always), and cultural humility using the Multi-Dimensional Cultural Humility Scale (Gonzalez et al., 2021). Clinicians provided open ended responses on resources that would support cultural adaptations. Data collection is ongoing.

A multiple regression analysis examined whether cultural humility, PI training, years of experience, and number of PI clients predicted adaptation frequency. Cultural humility marginally predicted adaptation frequency (B = 0.362, p = .054), while training (p = .471), years of experience (p= .978), and number of clients (p = .513) were not significant predictors.

Two researchers conducted qualitative thematic analysis to identify resource needs, including 1) access to translated videos and handouts, 2) training on cultural adaptation to PI (workshop, consultation with other PI clinicians and certified consultants), 3) adaptation tools to guide how/when to adapt PI for culture/contextual factor, 4) increased fit of PI content with culture/context (guidance on embedding strategies into routines, addressing stigma, coaching different family structure, balancing directive parenting styles with child lead activity), and 5) reduced structural barriers (more bilingual clinicians for referrals, providing childcare/transport, reduced program length for families with limited time). Mixed-methods analysis comparing clinicians with higher/lower adaptation frequency revealed no differences in resources reported.

Findings suggest that higher cultural humility marginally predicts more frequent adaptations, whereas training and experience alone do not drive adaptations. Future research should explore how structured tools, consultation, and translated materials can enhance culturally responsive implementation of PI.