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'Úuch u náacero' beyo''--Born This Way: Experiences of Autism and Communication in an Indigenous Yucatec Maya Family in Mexico and Considerations for Clinical Practice

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Title: 'Úuch u náacero' beyo''--Born This Way: Experiences of Autism and Communication in an Indigenous Yucatec Maya Family in Mexico and Considerations for Clinical Practice
Language: English
Authors: Alexandra Papas, Rosa María Couoh Pool, Lindsay K. Butler (ORCID 0000-0003-4106-1849)
Source: Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. 2025 10(3):691-703.
Availability: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 800-638-8255; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: perspectives@asha.org; https://perspectives.pubs.asha.org/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mayan Languages, Interpersonal Communication, Communication Skills, Indigenous Populations, Maya (People), Foreign Countries, Language Minorities, Ethnography, Communication Problems, Resources, Inclusion, Intervention, Social Discrimination, Access to Health Care, Speech Language Pathology
Geographic Terms: Mexico
DOI: 10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00129
ISSN: 2381-473X
Abstract: Purpose: Speech, language, and hearing professionals are mandated to provide culturally responsive services for individuals who hold multiple identities and may face unique challenges resulting from multiple discrimination and cumulative disadvantage. This study presents a thematic analysis of ethnographic interviews with an Indigenous Mayan family with a minimally speaking autistic child. This article aims to improve the ability of speech, language, and hearing professionals to be informed of unique challenges at the intersection of autism and ethnicity. Method: This study adopted an exploratory approach to the analysis of semistructured ethnographic interviews with three members of a Mayan family regarding their experiences having a minimally speaking autistic family member. A thematic analysis was carried out in collaboration with the second author, a member of the community and an ethnographic researcher. Results: Six themes were identified in the thematic analysis: (1) autistic from birth; (2) communication challenges; (3) lack of resources; (4) autism awareness and inclusion are not widespread; (5) intervention is important, but access is limited; and (6) discrimination can sometimes come from within one's own community. Conclusions: This study outlined several themes in the experiences of an Indigenous Mayan family with a minimally speaking autistic child. Speech, language, and hearing professionals should be aware of the lack of resources and the exclusion from educational opportunities that Indigenous autistic individuals may face. Specific examples of implications for clinical practice are discussed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1476694
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: 'Úuch u náacero' beyo''--Born This Way: Experiences of Autism and Communication in an Indigenous Yucatec Maya Family in Mexico and Considerations for Clinical Practice
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alexandra+Papas%22">Alexandra Papas</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rosa+María+Couoh+Pool%22">Rosa María Couoh Pool</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lindsay+K%2E+Butler%22">Lindsay K. Butler</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4106-1849">0000-0003-4106-1849</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Perspectives+of+the+ASHA+Special+Interest+Groups%22"><i>Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups</i></searchLink>. 2025 10(3):691-703.
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  Data: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 800-638-8255; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: perspectives@asha.org; https://perspectives.pubs.asha.org/
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 13
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  Label: Publication Date
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research<br />Tests/Questionnaires
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Autism+Spectrum+Disorders%22">Autism Spectrum Disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mayan+Languages%22">Mayan Languages</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+Communication%22">Interpersonal Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+Skills%22">Communication Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Indigenous+Populations%22">Indigenous Populations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Maya+%28People%29%22">Maya (People)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Minorities%22">Language Minorities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethnography%22">Ethnography</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+Problems%22">Communication Problems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Resources%22">Resources</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusion%22">Inclusion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intervention%22">Intervention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Discrimination%22">Social Discrimination</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Access+to+Health+Care%22">Access to Health Care</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Speech+Language+Pathology%22">Speech Language Pathology</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mexico%22">Mexico</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00129
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2381-473X
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: Speech, language, and hearing professionals are mandated to provide culturally responsive services for individuals who hold multiple identities and may face unique challenges resulting from multiple discrimination and cumulative disadvantage. This study presents a thematic analysis of ethnographic interviews with an Indigenous Mayan family with a minimally speaking autistic child. This article aims to improve the ability of speech, language, and hearing professionals to be informed of unique challenges at the intersection of autism and ethnicity. Method: This study adopted an exploratory approach to the analysis of semistructured ethnographic interviews with three members of a Mayan family regarding their experiences having a minimally speaking autistic family member. A thematic analysis was carried out in collaboration with the second author, a member of the community and an ethnographic researcher. Results: Six themes were identified in the thematic analysis: (1) autistic from birth; (2) communication challenges; (3) lack of resources; (4) autism awareness and inclusion are not widespread; (5) intervention is important, but access is limited; and (6) discrimination can sometimes come from within one's own community. Conclusions: This study outlined several themes in the experiences of an Indigenous Mayan family with a minimally speaking autistic child. Speech, language, and hearing professionals should be aware of the lack of resources and the exclusion from educational opportunities that Indigenous autistic individuals may face. Specific examples of implications for clinical practice are discussed.
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: EJ1476694
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Autism Spectrum Disorders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mayan Languages
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      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal Communication
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      – SubjectFull: Communication Skills
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      – SubjectFull: Communication Problems
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      – SubjectFull: Speech Language Pathology
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      – SubjectFull: Mexico
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      – TitleFull: 'Úuch u náacero' beyo''--Born This Way: Experiences of Autism and Communication in an Indigenous Yucatec Maya Family in Mexico and Considerations for Clinical Practice
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