Peer-reviewed article

Facilitating Autism Service Navigation, Parenting, and Self-Care Within a Community-Based Organization: A Pilot Feasibility Study With Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families.

Shana M Attar, Hannah Benavidez, Carol Gicheru, Colleen Alabi, Risho Sapano et al. · 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Health care and early education systems are common entry points for autism identification and specialized services. However, culturally and linguistically diverse families are less likely to experience timely or positive interactions within these systems. This pilot feasibility study examined implementation outcomes of using non-specialist providers (NSPs) within a community-based non-profit organization to support early service navigation while also promoting caregiver use of evidence-based parenting and self-care strategies. Six multilingual NSPs completed a web-based training and delivered a four-session program, the Family Care Project, to 35 families of children aged 16 months to 5 years for whom there were developmental concerns. Implementation outcomes were assessed using Proctor's taxonomy, including acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, adoption, penetration, and sustainability. All families completed all four sessions within 5 weeks. NSPs reported high acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of the training and caregiver-facing materials; adoption was high, with 95% of planned module content delivered. At the 5-month follow-up, NSPs reported continued program use with additional families, providing evidence of organizational penetration and sustainability. Results suggest that a low-resource, culturally responsive curriculum can be acceptable, feasible, and appropriate for NSP-led delivery in community-based settings and may offer a scalable complement to health care-based navigation models.Lay AbstractMedical professionals and educators are often the first to identify concerns about a child's development and help families seek care. However, families who speak languages other than English or who come from diverse cultural backgrounds may face barriers to accessing this support. This study examined whether trusted community providers, who share language and cultural backgrounds with families but do not have specialized clinical training, can deliver autism-related support within a community-based non-profit organization. Six community-based providers who speak a range of African and Middle Eastern languages completed an online training through the Family Care Project and used this program to support 35 families of young children. Providers reported that the program was easy to use and fit well with the work they already do. All families completed the program within 5 weeks. Six months later, providers had continued delivering the program and had supported an additional 24 families. These findings suggest that a low-cost, community-based program led by trusted providers from the same communities as participating families can support early autism-related service navigation. The Family Care Project may help more families access information, resources, and support early in their child's development.