Randomized pilot study of a special education advocacy program for Latinx/minority parents of children with autism spectrum disorder

Persistent racial and ethnic disparities in obtaining an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and services have been documented for Latinx children and other racial/ethnic minorities. This study reports on an educational intervention examining the effectiveness and feasibility of a low-intensity (i.e. three sessions), low-cost, parent advocacy for Latinx and other minority parents of children with autism. Results indicated significantly increased parental knowledge and in the immediate intervention group, but this knowledge did not lead to greater empowerment. While parents from low-income, racial/ethnic minority backgrounds, particularly Latinx parents, can significantly increase their advocacy skills with a low-intensity, low-cost program, they may need more support in changing their self-perceptions of empowerment and advocacy.