PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Early detection of autism and delivery of evidence-based services are crucial because they can lessen the
degree of long-term disability associated with the condition. Black children however, continue to experience
disparities in access to services due, in part, to inaccurate screening, lack of referrals for autism evaluations,
and underrepresentation of culturally and linguistically diverse participants in research samples.
The proposed study will address important gaps in autism research. Few studies have been conducted to
understand the feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability of digital screening tools from the perspective of
culturally and linguistically diverse end-users. There is little knowledge of how the cultural appropriateness of
provider communication about screening results and clinical decision support influences Black caregivers’
decisions to link their child to services. Moreover, information on determinants of culturally and linguistically
diverse children’s recruitment and retention in autism studies is lacking. These gaps will be addressed in the
proposed study through three aims. The first aim is to describe acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of
communication about screening results to Black families within the context of clinical decision support. The
second aim will explore the acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of a digital autism screener for Black
families. The third aim is to identify determinants of Black caregivers’ enrollment and continued engagement in
autism studies of digital screening tools.
Dr. Fannin is an investigator looking to expand her capacity for independent research. She has established an
interdisciplinary mentoring team with expertise in psychiatry, biology, education, and population health science.
Dr. Fannin’s career development plan capitalizes on the mentoring team’s guidance for selection of didactic
training and professional development to address gaps in research skills, as well as their individualized
mentoring to apply what she has learned to the research. The proposed research contributes to the knowledge
base concerning equitable identification and access to autism services, as well as strategies to help generalize
evidence-based intervention to culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Through examination of how
Black caregivers believe providers can customize screening procedures, improve conversations about
screening results, and promote study recruitment and retention, the resultant data can foster development of
culturally responsive clinical procedures to improve the quality of life for autistic children and their families.
