Our Mission
Autismo en Confianza is dedicated to advancing equity in autism services and support for minoritized families, with particular focus on immigrant and Latino Spanish-speaking communities. Our lab operates on the fundamental principle that all families deserve culturally responsive, linguistically accessible, and community-centered autism services that honor their values and aspirations.
Our Core Commitments
Eliminating Barriers to Access: We work to dismantle systemic obstacles that prevent minoritized families from accessing timely autism diagnosis, appropriate special education services, and comprehensive support systems. Through research, advocacy, and direct service innovation, we address linguistic, cultural, economic, and institutional barriers that have historically marginalized these communities.
Community-Centered Research: Our research projects are developed in partnership with the communities we serve, ensuring that our investigations address real-world challenges and generate actionable solutions. We prioritize participatory research methodologies that position families as experts in their own experiences and co-creators of knowledge.
Culturally Sustaining Practice: We recognize that autism intersects with cultural identity in complex ways, and that effective services must honor families' cultural values, communication styles, and conceptualizations of development and well-being. Our work promotes service models that are linguistically accessible and culturally affirming.
Family-Defined Outcomes: We reject one-size-fits-all approaches to autism intervention and instead support families in defining what quality of life means for their unique circumstances. Our research and service innovations are designed to expand possibilities and choices, allowing autistic individuals and their families to pursue their own vision of flourishing.
Our Impact
Through rigorous research, innovative service delivery models, and community partnership, Autismo en Confianza generates evidence-based solutions that directly improve the lives of autistic individuals and their families. We measure our success not only through traditional academic metrics, but through the enhanced agency, well-being, and opportunities experienced by the communities we serve.
Our work contributes to a future where autism services are equitable, accessible, and responsive to the rich diversity of families seeking support—a future where trust between families and service systems is built through genuine partnership and mutual respect.
Team Members
Principle Investigator/PI: Fernanda Castellón
Lab Manager: Selena Arana-Bonales
Outreach Coordinator: Camila Cortez
Research Assistants:Sofia Benitez, Lucia Torres, & Kimberly Lopez