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A train the-trainer project: Equipping promotoras to empower Hispanic families in South Texas to recognize developmental milestones and warning signs of autism
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Johanna McLendon
,
Regional Academic Health Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Medicine, Harlingen, TX
Beatriz Tapia, MD, MPH
,
Department of Family and Community Medicine, South Tx. Env. Education & Research (STEER), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - Harlingen Regional Academic Health Center, Harlingen, TX
Aida Vigil, MD, MPH
,
Regional Academic Health Center, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine at San Antonio, Harlingen, TX
Noe Garza, DDS, MPH, DPH
,
Research Associate. Department of Family and Community Medicine, South Tx. Env. Education & Research (STEER), UT Health Science Center San Antonio, Harlingen, TX
It has been shown that Hispanic children are usually diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) about 2.5 years later than their non-Hispanic counterparts. One of the main barriers to ASD diagnosis in Hispanic children is the availability of culturally appropriate educational material for Hispanic families. The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) has developed a bilingual
promotoras (community health workers) curriculum about developmental milestones and warning signs of autism. There has been limited yet successful health promotion outreach using the OAR curriculum in a Latino health fair setting. A pilot intervention was adapted from this curriculum and introduced to families during home visits. Last year, 58 South Texas
promotoras participated in a bilingual workshop we organized based on the OAR curriculum. Ten
promotoras were selected to visit a designated number of Hispanic families to relay materials from the workshop.
Promotoras were given OAR health fair materials and additional resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) autism awareness campaign, “Learn the signs. Act early.” Following this intervention,
promotora focus groups discussed the effectiveness of the training workshop and adaptability of the curriculum. This presentation will highlight: 1) the educational value of a train-the-trainer workshop designed for and tailored to Hispanics and 2) the cultural appropriateness and accessibility of curriculum materials for health interventions.
We anticipate that future promotora workshops using the OAR and CDC materials will result in greater awareness about developmental milestones and the warning signs of autism and earlier diagnosis for Hispanic children.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Describe the disparity in autism diagnoses among Hispanic children. Identify the strengths of using healthcare workers to raise awareness about health issues in the community.
Keyword(s): Latinos, Community Health Workers and Promoters
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a research fellow with the Hispanic Autism Research Center in South Texas through part of the University of Texas Health Science Center Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen, TX. Among my interests has been public health outreach to Hispanic populations and advocacy for child health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
