Pilot Implementation of a Culturally Adapted Training for Caregivers of Young Autistic Children: A Mixed Methods Study

The demand for services and resources to support individuals with autism has increased in correspondence with the rising prevalence of autism around the globe. However, there is limited availability of resources and services to support autistic children and their families in low-to-middle-income countries. Caregiver training is an evidence-based practice that leads to positive outcomes for both caregivers and their autistic children, and is an appropriate way to deliver support for caregivers of autistic children in low-resourced settings. In this study, we used a convergent mixed-methods design to evaluate the effects and social validity of a culturally adapted caregiver training program with 17 caregivers of autistic children in Paraguay. Caregivers increased their knowledge about autism, their understanding of their children's strengths and needs, and their advocacy knowledge and skills, from pre-program to post-program. Additionally, caregivers deemed the program feasible, acceptable, and needed in the Paraguayan context. Implications for policy and practice, and directions for future research are discussed.