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.

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.