This presentation was recorded at the 2014 CCBS West Coast Conference on Autism

Research supports early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) for children with autism in order to take advantage of brain plasticity in early learning. Knowing that this type of intervention is valuable is one thing, but sometimes those attempting to offer or provide intervention encounter barriers to service or perceived “reluctance” to accept services, especially when attempting to gain access to diverse populations. It is important to understand the complexities of culture, not only in the sense of race, ethnicity, religion and upbringing, but also in relation to geography, socio-economic status and the “culture of disability” and how these complexities can result in barriers, both real and perceived for supporting individuals and families who would benefit from a particular modality. This panel will provide an overview of issues in serving diverse populations. Specifically, Ms. Flores will focus on current statewide data related to serving diverse populations in California and provide examples of efforts to work through some of these barriers to service provision in conjunction with education, family resource centers and service providers.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Provide a working definition of diverse populations.
2. Identify complex factors in defining the concept of “culture”.
3. Discuss a minimum of two considerations when encountering the appearance of “reluctance” to accept services

1.5 Type II CE Credit