Gathering provider perspectives on using a parent-implemented autism intervention with traditionally underserved populations

Palm, Erika Nicole (2023) Gathering provider perspectives on using a parent-implemented autism intervention with traditionally underserved populations. Doctoral thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

Parent-mediated interventions for children on the autism spectrum are recognized as evidence-based practice. The PLAY Project autism intervention, the focus of this research, is a parent-mediated model that has been implemented on a large scale, but its effectiveness with traditionally underserved families has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to obtain PLAY Project Consultants’ (PPCs’) perspectives on using PLAY with children on the autism spectrum or who have an increased likelihood of being diagnosed with 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 while maintaining its fidelity. The study’s mixed-methods analysis examined provider perspectives on barriers and facilitators to using the PLAY Project with traditionally underserved families. PPC survey data were analyzed using independent group t-tests, and thematic analysis was used to analyze follow-up semi-structured interviews with providers. Survey questions, interview questions, and qualitative themes were guided by the eight key dimensions of the Ecological Validity Model and viewed through a Theory of Change lens. Results of this study may inform adaptations to the PLAY Project intervention, in a way that maintains fidelity, which may be helpful for serving the broader population of children on the autism spectrum and their families. Findings and recommendations of the research may also be transferable to a variety of autism interventions.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	autism spectrum disorder; culturally diverse; low-resourced; parent-implemented intervention; rural; traditionally; PLAY project; underserved
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
MeSH Subjects:	F Psychiatry and Psychology > F01 Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Social and Behavioral Science > Institute for Human Development
Date Deposited:	18 Jun 2025 23:45
Last Modified:	18 Jun 2025 23:45
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6187

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