Date of this Version

12-2-2024

Document Type

DNP Project

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Early parental awareness is fundamental for timely interventions. However, for African American children, including those of Haitian descent, the average age of diagnosis is over five years due to various obstacles. To address this issue, a quality improvement project was initiated. The intervention consists of producing an educational video in Creole that will enhance parents' understanding of ASD. The video will provide information on early behavioral signs and resources to navigate the healthcare systems. This intervention took place at a pediatric primary care clinic in West Palm Beach, Florida, serving an increasing number of Haitian individuals. The goal is to bridge the gap in understanding, facilitate recognition of early signs of ASD in Haitian children, decrease misinformation, accelerate early diagnosis, and empower parents to improve outcomes for their children.

METHODS: The project involved administering a pre-and post-test to 15 parents of children from 1 to 5 years, covering information about the participants' backgrounds, their initial knowledge of autism, and other aspects such as the definition, causes, signs, misconceptions, and key details of the diagnostic process. Scores for each section were recorded to calculate a total score.

RESULTS: Following the educational session, parents demonstrated increased knowledge about the warning signs to watch for and when to consult a pediatrician for their children. The average scores for both the pre-test (62.5%) and post-test (79.5%) for the parent participants indicate an overall improvement of 17 %. After the study, 33% of the participants requested referrals for neurology, psychology, and services such as speech or occupational therapy.

CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrated an enhancement in the comprehensive knowledge of the participating parents following the implementation of video education in this quality improvement initiative. Thus, the research suggests that culturally customized educational resources can diminish the discrepancy in ASD diagnosis among Haitian children by equipping parents with adequate information and resources. This project is pertinent to global health priorities aimed at enhancing screening and early intervention for neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasizing the importance of accommodating cultural and linguistic diversity in healthcare.

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