Multi-Method, Partner-Engaged Process to Document Adaptations for ATTAIN NAV: Family Navigation for Autism and Mental Health
Saved in:
| Title: | Multi-Method, Partner-Engaged Process to Document Adaptations for ATTAIN NAV: Family Navigation for Autism and Mental Health |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Isaac Bouchard, Kassandra Martinez, Pollyanna Gomez-Patino, Felice Navarro, Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Kimberly J. Holmquist, Sonya Negriff, Miya Barnett, Sarabeth Broder-Fingert, Nicole A. Stadnick |
| Source: | Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research. 2025 52(6):1121-1134. |
| Availability: | Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: | R34MH120190 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mental Health, Family Involvement, Access to Health Care, Intervention, Physicians, Mental Health Programs |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10488-025-01452-z |
| ISSN: | 0894-587X 1573-3289 |
| Abstract: | Autistic youth often experience co-occurring mental health needs, yet they have multi-level barriers to accessing needed care. To address these barriers, the ATTAIN NAV (Access to Tailored Autism Integrated Care through Family Navigation) intervention was co-designed with caregiver and healthcare partners and delivered by lay health navigators to facilitate access to and engagement with mental health services for school-age autistic youth. This manuscript describes the multi-method, partner-engaged, longitudinal adaptation process to (1) identify intervention content and implementation refinements prior to the hybrid trial and (2) track ongoing research, intervention, and implementation adaptations during the trial and their impacts on study outcomes. The adaptation processes used the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence-based Implementation Strategies (Miller et al., 2021) to guide data collection and evaluation approaches. From the qualitative co-design activities with caregivers (n = 5), primary care providers (n = 6), developmental care clinicians (n = 4), and health informatics staff (n = 3), several intervention content and implementation adaptations were identified and integrated prior to the trial. From the longitudinal adaptation tracking process during the trial, a total of 19 adaptations were documented throughout the implementation trial. The adaptations were related to maintaining the feasibility and acceptability of the study procedures (32%), increasing family recruitment/engagement (26%), increasing the acceptability of the intervention components (16%), increasing physician recruitment/engagement (11%), expanding mental health resources (5%), complying with partnered healthcare organization policy (5%), and increasing navigator workflow efficiency (5%). Findings offer a structured and replicable approach adoptable by non-traditional mental health intervention and implementation research. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1495730 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Autistic youth often experience co-occurring mental health needs, yet they have multi-level barriers to accessing needed care. To address these barriers, the ATTAIN NAV (Access to Tailored Autism Integrated Care through Family Navigation) intervention was co-designed with caregiver and healthcare partners and delivered by lay health navigators to facilitate access to and engagement with mental health services for school-age autistic youth. This manuscript describes the multi-method, partner-engaged, longitudinal adaptation process to (1) identify intervention content and implementation refinements prior to the hybrid trial and (2) track ongoing research, intervention, and implementation adaptations during the trial and their impacts on study outcomes. The adaptation processes used the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence-based Implementation Strategies (Miller et al., 2021) to guide data collection and evaluation approaches. From the qualitative co-design activities with caregivers (n = 5), primary care providers (n = 6), developmental care clinicians (n = 4), and health informatics staff (n = 3), several intervention content and implementation adaptations were identified and integrated prior to the trial. From the longitudinal adaptation tracking process during the trial, a total of 19 adaptations were documented throughout the implementation trial. The adaptations were related to maintaining the feasibility and acceptability of the study procedures (32%), increasing family recruitment/engagement (26%), increasing the acceptability of the intervention components (16%), increasing physician recruitment/engagement (11%), expanding mental health resources (5%), complying with partnered healthcare organization policy (5%), and increasing navigator workflow efficiency (5%). Findings offer a structured and replicable approach adoptable by non-traditional mental health intervention and implementation research. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0894-587X 1573-3289 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10488-025-01452-z |
