SOE Postdoc Research Talk:

Join the School of Education for a Postdoc Research Talk with Fernanda Castellón, Ph.D.

From the Border to the Classroom: Cultural Considerations for Autism Service Providers - 

Culturally sustaining adaptations and practices are needed to promote equitable neuro-affirming interventions for minoritized populations such as Latine autistic children. One unexplored group is transfronterix/border autistic children, who look to pursue binational autism services due to complex motivations propelled by systemic barriers experienced in Mexico. Findings from interviews with Tranfronterix/border mothers of autistic children align with the experiences of Mexican heritage mothers in the U.S.

This presentation will mainly focus on the findings of Dr. Castellón’s dissertation, a qualitative community-based participatory study of 10 Mexican heritage mothers of autistic children aged 10-16. The research provides insights into the nexus of expectations and parenting practices. The findings reveal a dual influence of cultural values such as familismo and respeto, which shape maternal approaches to parenting practices in the context of autism. Current post-doctoral work at UCR (Smooth Sailing, IES-funded) is exploring the role of cultural values among the parent-teacher relationship and the intersection between neuro-affirming practices and culturally sustainment. Overall, this line of research has implications for future funded work that supports culturally sustaining interventions and schooling practices, fostering improved outcomes for both parents and autistic children within Latine communities.

Fernanda Castellón, Ph.D. is a UC Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow at UCR’s SEARCH Autism Center and a sister to two autistic young adults. A graduate of UCLA’s Doctoral program in Human Development & Psychology, Dr. Castellon participated in various multi-site federally funded research studies aimed at reducing autism disparities. During her graduate studies she also carried out independent research focused on documenting and exploring the experiences of Latine Spanish-speaking family members of autistic individuals across early childhood into early adulthood. She earned a double Bachelor’s degree from UCSB in Psychology and Chicana/o/x studies and a Master’s in Education from UCLA. Dr. Castellón’s research interests include family centered and culturally sustaining autism intervention services, international special education, transfronterizo families of autistic individuals, bilingualism among autistic children, and cultural considerations in the transition to post-secondary for profound autistic adults.