ERIC Number: EJ1363211
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2047-3869
EISSN: EISSN-2047-3877
Available Date: N/A
Undocumented Mexican Mothers of Children with Autism: Navigating the Health Care and Educational Service Systems
Luelmo, Paul; Sandoval, Yvonne; Kasari, Connie
International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, v68 n4 p567-577 2022
In the field of education and health care, researchers and educators attempt to close the diagnosis/identification and service gaps that persist for low-resourced, underrepresented families with children with autism. One group of families particularly difficult to engage in research and interventions is undocumented immigrant families. We know little about whether these families are obtaining a timely diagnosis or services for their children with autism. This study addresses how undocumented Mexican immigrant mothers of children with autism navigate the special education and health care systems, challenges they face in doing so, and the helpers who assist in navigating the process. Six undocumented Mexican immigrant mothers of children with autism participated in one-on-one interviews. Participants were interviewed in a semi-structured format and transcription, coding, and final analysis were conducted in Spanish using analytic software. Three broad themes emerged during the content analysis process: (1) immigration driving force and experience, (2) autism-specific challenges, and (3) autism-specific helpers. Additionally, a case study of each participant is presented and discussed.
Descriptors: Undocumented Immigrants, Immigrants, Children, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Special Education, Access to Health Care, Access to Education, Barriers, Affordances, Immigration, Students with Disabilities, Parent Attitudes, Mexican Americans
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) (DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: UA3MC11055
Author Affiliations: N/A