Considering Culture in Autism Screening Products

Massachusetts Act Early has developed the Considering Culture in Autism Screening guide, toolkit and classroom-based curriculum offered below at no cost for use by a variety of pediatric and early childhood professionals when working with children from families whose primary language is not English. 

These free materials may be downloaded and printed for use in practice.

Screening Guide & Toolkit

Components
Included in the Considering Culture in Autism Screening Kit are several selected translations of the  M-CHAT autism screening tool in both the latest revised version with the follow-up interview (R/F) and the original version (see below). In addition to the M-CHAT R/F translations below that represent the most prominently spoken languages in Massachusetts, the M-CHAT R/F web site has many more.

To download other translations and to learn more in general about the screening tool, please visit http://mchatscreen.com/.

M-CHAT-R/F and translations
Original M-CHAT and translations

Curriculum Materials

Screening for ASD in families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds can be challenging not only due to language differences, but also because of differing cultural expectations about child development and understanding of ASD and its treatment. The Considering Culture in Autism (CCiA) Screening Curriculum includes two case-based presentation modules, a facilitator guide, curriculum handouts,  and video interviews with families from 4 cultures.

Learning objectives include:
  1. Identify the steps for eliciting concerns and conducting developmental surveillance and screening with CLD families.
  2. Know how to discuss the outcomes of developmental and/or autism screening with CLD families.
  3. Understand cultural and linguistic considerations when discussing developmental delays and autism with CLD families.

The CCiA curriculum materials listed below are available free for download:
Facilitator Guide
considering_culture_facilitatorguide_final_102116.pdf
File Size: 1660 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Curriculum Handouts
considering_culture_curriculum_handouts_final.pdf
File Size: 1757 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Presentation Slides: Case #1 - Mario's Story
considering_culture_case1_mario_052314.pptx
File Size: 641 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File
Presentation Slides: Case #2 - Francois' Story
considering_culture_case2_francois_042114.pptx
File Size: 659 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File
Video Library
  • Supplemental video interviews with parents from four cultures are available by request for teaching purposes only.
  • Contact Elaine.Gabovitch@umassmed.edu for more information.
video_library.pdf
File Size: 196 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Translated Materials Available through Massachusetts Act Early

Please visit our Translated Materials web page for helpful materials related to developmental monitoring, local resources and related topics for families in English, Spanish and multiple other languages.

Other Translated "Learn the Signs. Act Early" Materials

Please visit the “Learn the Signs. Act Early” national campaign web site at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for other downloadable materials including brochures for families in English and Spanish, fact sheets on neurodevelopmental disorders, national resource information, and other materials.

For other translated LTSAE please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/freematerials.html