What does truly culturally responsive autism support look like—and who should lead it?
In this episode, Ben speaks with Dr. Davis Henderson, Dr. Candi Running Bear, and Dr. Olivia Lindly about their work adapting the Parents Taking Action program for Diné (Navajo) families. Together, they unpack how geography, language, family structure, and cultural values shape access to autism services—and how their team is working alongside communities to close those gaps.
From telehealth delivery across vast rural regions to adapting AAC tools in Indigenous languages, this conversation highlights what it really takes to move beyond “one-size-fits-all” care.
The team also shares their innovative next step: empowering parents to train educators—flipping the traditional model of expertise on its head.
What You’ll Learn
Why autism awareness and services remain limited in many Indigenous communitiesHow the Diné Parents Taking Action program was culturally adaptedThe role of community advisory boards in ethical, effective researchHow telehealth unexpectedly improved access and connectionWhy AAC must be culturally and linguistically responsiveThe importance of extended family systems in caregivingHow parents are being empowered to train educatorsWhat culturally responsive autism assessment still gets wrong—and how to improve itKey Topics & Highlights
Adapting evidence-based interventions for Indigenous communitiesBarriers: rural geography, transportation, internet, and systemic gapsLanguage access—including the need for autism terminology in NavajoCultural values like Hózhó and their role in careAAC innovation: from iPads to paper-based systems in low-resource settingsCommunity connection as an intervention outcomeExpanding work to Hopi and other Indigenous communitiesWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XWkC-7l19is
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
IBAO: 1.0 Cultural
QABA: 1.0 Ethics
CBA/CPD: 1.0 Cultural Diversity
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About the Guests
Dr. Davis Henderson – Associate Professor, Northern Arizona University. Navajo researcher focused on communication disorders and culturally responsive care.
https://directory.nau.edu/?person=dh929
Dr. Candi Running Bear – Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico. Former special education teacher with deep experience in early childhood education on the Navajo Nation.
https://coehs.unm.edu/faculty-staff/profiles/running-bear-candi.html
Dr. Olivia Lindly – Associate Professor, Northern Arizona University. Public health researcher focused on maternal and child health and autism services.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-lindly-phd-mph-3323306/
https://directory.nau.edu/?person=ojl28
Lindly OJ, Running Bear CL, Henderson DE, Lopez K, Nozadi SS, Vining C, Bia S, Hill E and Leaf A (2023). Adaptation of the Parents Taking Action program for Diné (Navajo) parents of children with autism. Front. Educ. 8:1197197. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2023.1197197
Lindly, O., Running Bear, C., Henderson, D. E., Kirby, B. R., Begay, V., Shui, A., Dababnah, S., & Magaña, S. M. (2025). Pilot study of a strengths-based education program for Diné (Navajo) families of autistic children: Feasibility, fidelity, acceptability, and initial outcomes. Research in Autism, 127, 202658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2025.202658
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-37-the-realities-of-autism-in-first-nations-communities-in-canada-with-grant-bruno-phd-candidate/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-147-culturally-responsive-care-in-indigenous-communities-with-dr-jaxcy-turietta/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/behavior-analysis-and-indigenous-ways-of-being-with-leslie-peters
