Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 20, Issue 2, 2018, Pages 360-369

Adapting an Autism Screening Tool for Use in the DeKalb County Refugee Pediatric Clinic (Article)

McClure C.* , Reines S. , Suchdev P.S. , Oladele A. , Goodman A.B.
  • a Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • b Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States, The Southeast Permanente Medical Group, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • c Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • d DeKalb County Board of Health, Decatur, GA, United States
  • e Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States

Abstract

Background: Minimal literature exists regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) among refugee children in the United States. Reliable ASD screening tools, such as the M-CHAT-R/F, have yet to be culturally adapted and translated into some languages spoken in the homes of these children. Methods: Pediatric refugee patients (n = 13) of caregivers of Bhutanese (Nepali-speaking) descent were screened using a newly translated Nepali M-CHAT-R/F. The M-CHAT-R/F was adapted based on feedback from Bhutanese caregivers and interpreter expertise. Qualitative interviews regarding caregiver awareness of ASD were conducted. Results: Caregivers understood the majority of M-CHAT-R/F items (91%). Four items required revision. Interviews revealed minimal awareness among Bhutanese caregivers regarding ASD or child development. Discussion: The M-CHAT-R/F was adapted into Nepali using a combination of translation protocols, and is publicly available for clinical use. Future validation studies are needed which will aid in clinical screening for and epidemiologic research of ASD in this population. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Bhutanese M-CHAT-R/F Nepali Autism Refugee

Index Keywords

refugee Caregivers mass screening human epidemiology Refugees autism Georgia ethnology Bhutan Autism Spectrum Disorder procedures United States Young Adult Humans Adolescent male preschool child female Infant Child, Preschool standards translating (language) adult Translating caregiver
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85012874832&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-017-0553-0&partnerID=40&md5=51e5db2d6aae0868167c3c507e8042e8
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-017-0553-0
ISSN: 15571912
Original Language: English