Neurodiversity/Autism

The PLAY Project autism intervention is a parent-mediated model that has been implemented on a large scale, but its effectiveness with traditionally underserved families had not been evaluated. For this study, PLAY Project Consultants’ (PPCs’) perspectives were obtained on using PLAY with children with or at-risk for autism whose families are rural-dwelling, culturally diverse, and/or low-resourced (“traditionally underserved families”). Furthermore, the study aimed to determine what adaptations could be made when using the PLAY Project, according to PPCs, to facilitate its implementation and increase its effectiveness for traditionally underserved populations. Results of this study may inform adaptations to the PLAY Project intervention and a variety of autism interventions, which may be helpful for serving the broader population of children with autism and their families. Key Learning Outcomes 1. Participants will gain knowledge about barriers and facilitators that influence outcomes of interventions for traditionally underserved families (TUF), as reported in the literature.2. Participants will learn about the development of mixed-methods study to investigate barriers, facilitators, and adaptations for an autism intervention._x000D_3. Participants will learn about the results of the study, including barriers and associated adaptations, as perceived by PLAY Project Consultants, to using a parent-implemented autism intervention with TUF.