Abstract

This project attempts to create a dialogue about respectful service delivery to Native American families with a child diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Improving interactions between professionals and Native American families can not only advance the ASD child's cognitive and behavioral gains, but also respectfully honors the beliefs of the caregivers. A systematic search of pertinent peer-reviewed empirical sources in the areas of Autism, paraprofessional training, and multicultural psychology was conducted to develop a training resource for paraprofessionals providing home based ABA tutoring. The completed resource is comprised of three training modules, which are intended to be presented over the course of three days of instruction and lead by a licensed mental health professional. Licensed mental health clinicians acting, as ABA program coordinators would be responsible to utilize this training as an addendum to current, readily available ABA training manuals. An expert panel of licensed mental health professionals working with the Native American ASD population evaluated this training resource. Results: The three members of the expert panel found that despite the need to further develop group discussion topics and to include additional examples related to Native American caregiver perceptions of this style of treatment, the resource has potential for use in preparing paraprofessionals for ABA tutoring in Native American homes.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Dissertations (PsyD) -- Psychology; Autism spectrum disorders in children

Date of Award

2012

School Affiliation

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Department/Program

Psychology

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate

Faculty Advisor

Martinez, Tomás;

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