Culturally adapted treatment for bilingual Latino young adults with autism
Official title: Psychosocial and Neural Mechanisms for a Culturally and Linguistically Adapted Treatment for Bilingual Latino Young Adults with Autism
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11113417 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a special therapy program designed for bilingual Latino young adults with autism to help them improve their mental health, social skills, and everyday functioning as they transition into adulthood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $132,033 |
| NIH project number | 1K99HD118079-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11113417 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are bilingual Latino young adults aged 18-25 who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as bilingual Latino or are outside the age range of 18-25 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and testing a culturally and linguistically adapted therapy program for bilingual Latino young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they transition into adulthood. The program, called ¡Iniciando! la Adultez, aims to enhance mental health, executive functioning, and social skills through tailored interventions. The research will also explore the neural mechanisms that underlie treatment responses, utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques. Participants will be involved in a randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of this innovative approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide effective mental health support and skill-building strategies for bilingual Latino young adults with autism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in culturally adapted interventions for diverse populations, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pagán, Antonio Francisco — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Pagán, Antonio Francisco
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.