Using “Project ECHO” to Support Birth-to-Three Providers Partnering With Families of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

R achael is a white female service coordinator working for a local Part C early intervention (EI) agency serving families of children with developmental delays and disabilities.Rachael has over 20 years of experience in the field of EI. She has worked hard to support families on her caseload, each with their own unique needs and challenges. Rachael works with a Spanish-speaking family who has a 2-year-old child, Mateo. Mateo's family recently moved to the area 3 months ago and Spanish interpreters are present during home visits to support communication between Rachael and Mateo's family. Before moving, Mateo's family was receiving services through another EI agency, where he was originally referred due to language delays. Mateo's mother, Giselle, told Rachael that they were not satisfied with the experience with their previous agency and did not feel connected to their providers.Standard practice at Rachael's agency includes an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening, the Modified Checklist for ASD in Toddlers (Wright & Poulin-Dubois, 2014), for all children upon entrance to services and every 6 months thereafter. Mateo's parents ask what this screening is for, and with the help of an interpreter, Rachael