790 - Data from Monthly Teleconference Training for Autism Care Integrating Healthcare Professionals and Family Members in Spanish-Speaking Communities

Publication Number: 790.4479

Crystal Alcala, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States; Elizabeth A.. Almonte, UC Davis MIND Institute, Roseville, CA, United States; Lisamelia Espaillat, PUCMM, Santiago, Santiago, Dominican Republic; Rosa D.. Rodriguez, University of California Davis Children's Hospital, Sacramento, CA, United States; Vanessa M.. Avila-Pons, UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA, United States; Roger Scott Akins, UC DAvis, SACRAMENTO, CA, United States; Aubyn Stahmer, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States; Maribel Hernandez, CEDD MIND Institute UC Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States; Bibiana Restrepo, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States

Background: Autism care faces unique challenges, with families often struggling with limited specialist access, resources, and support, while providers encounter their own barriers in training and resources. The ECHO Autism Program at the UC Davis MIND Institute addressed these needs by enhancing autism care knowledge and access for Spanish-speaking communities through targeted sessions.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and training backgrounds of healthcare providers and family members in autism care, identify key access barriers, evaluate the effectiveness of clinic sessions, and integrate participant feedback to refine future training.

Design/Methods: Using a mixed-method data collection collected from program participants (June 2023 - June 2024) through pre-curriculum surveys, post-clinic surveys, and end-of-curriculum focus groups. We gathered information on demographics, training, barriers, clinic satisfaction, knowledge gained, resource needs, improvement suggestions, session topics, ongoing participation, and feedback on session effectiveness, case relevance, and practical recommendations.

Results: This study highlights key challenges in autism care for professionals and families. Among professionals (n=122), 83%are women, with 68% having 1-9 years of experience. Main barriers include limited specialist access (39%) and lack of local resources (34%). For families (n=181), 73% are women, with challenges like limited specialist access (49%) and lengthy referrals (45%). Over a year, the ECHO Model demonstrated a positive impact, with high satisfaction and knowledge acquisition (5.00-7.00) in areas like understanding autism and community resources. Nearly all participants (88%-100%) expressed a strong likelihood of continuing attendance, with average ratings above 6.50, affirming the model’s value in knowledge dissemination and community-building. Variability in case discussions (4.57-6.70) suggested some participants found these less impactful, while feedback from focus groups highlighted interest in practical, interactive content and cultural relevance. This underscores the ECHO Model’s role in enhancing autism care for caregivers and professionals.

Conclusion(s): The ECHO Model effectively supports autism care, showing high satisfaction and knowledge gains despite limited and sometimes incomplete post-survey responses. Strong commitment to continued participation highlights its relevance, with participants suggesting more practical, interactive content to address specific challenges like specialist access. Overall, the model is a valuable resource in autism support for underserved communities.

Barriers Faced by Professionals in Autism Treatment


Barriers Faced by Families in Autism Treatment


Future Directions for ECHO Autism Clinic