A PHENOMENOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE ON TREATING AND CARING FOR HISPANIC CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Abstract

Researchers have found that cultural factors may lead to lower rates of diagnosis in Hispanic children with autism and that parents lack the knowledge of therapies and practices used in the treatment of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Five research questions guided this phenomenological study. The focus of the first two questions was how culture may affect families seeking assistance; the third question queried how professionals play a part in the choice of therapies ; the fourth question dealt with how do families choose a therapy to aid their child with ASD. The focus of the last question was the involvement of other family members. The major themes included professional influences, concerns for children’s futures as adults, parental involvement, and personalismo/familismo. The outcomes of the study demonstrate the influence professionals have on the families and the choices families make to aid their children with ASD. These findings will assist professionals to understand the Hispanic culture as it may relate to having a child with ASD and thus assist families to understand how to acquire the services needed. ...