Diversity Fellow Project, Dejeunee Ashby
Perceptions of Child Development Among Members of a Black Church Community
Perceptions of Child Development Among Members of a Black Church Community Post (594 K) Download
Project Narrative
1. Please describe your activities during your Fellowship experience. Describe your final capstone project(s).
My final project was a qualitative study on the perceptions of child development, specifically autism spectrum disorder, among members of a Black Church community. A total of four focus groups were conducted at two Black Los Angeles Churches using the Community-Partnered Participatory Research (CPPR) model. Participants were parents of typically developing children. They were shown CDC Autism Training Videos of African American children with ASD, but not told about their diagnosis, and were asked open-ended questions about their behavioral observations. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded. Preliminary data showed misinterpretations of ASD symptoms, including diagnoses of ADHD, being a child of a single parent, and being an introvert. Participants also wanted physicians to spend time looking at the parent and child relationship, the home environment of the child, and to refer to a specialist when unsure about the child’s development.
2. Who did your project inform, help, influence or impact? (UCEDD, individual, community, state) How?
My project informed African American and medical communities on multiple levels. My project will help guide clinicians and researchers to provide targeted interventions for the African American community.
3. Why did you choose to work on that project(s)?
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children is about 1 in 59 and there are health disparities seen between Caucasian and African American children. For example, Caucasian children have a 20% higher ASD prevalence compared to African American children. African American parents have also been shown to report significantly fewer autism ASD concerns. Factors that may hinder an ASD diagnosis in African American children include parents' mistrust of healthcare professionals and cultural differences in interpretations of ASD symptoms. The Black Church, a highly trusted and influential institution, has been a partner in research to increase health promotion, prevention, and behavioral changes among the African American community. Little is known, however, about how a faith-based setting can be utilized to understand the beliefs of ASD within the African American community.
4. What did you gain from being a Diversity Fellow?
As a diversity fellow, I have gained a wealth of knowledge from my mentors and the community I was given the privilege to work alongside. As a fellow, I was able to use the CPPR model, which is based upon the development of trust among community members, academic researchers, and health care professionals doing work in the community. At the core of the CPPR model is a recognition that the community is a source of identity and expertise for its members which is central to addressing health and healthcare disparities. By utilizing this model, I was able to help provide information on potential intervention plans for ASD diagnosis with the direct input from the community.
5. How will this experience impact your education or career decisions?
I am currently finishing my training fellowship in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics and will soon be a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician. My experience will help with cultural humility and sensitivity towards particular ethnic populations.
6. What are your future goals? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
My future goals are to practice as a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician within the Los Angeles area. In 5 years, I see myself leading interdisciplinary autism spectrum disorder team assessments, providing service guidance, and medication support for children with developmental disabilities.
7. What recommendations do you have for other fellows?
My advice would be to create a partnership with the community you wish to serve.