Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41752304›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of environmental research and public health2026

A PhotoVoice Study with Canadian Immigrant and Racialized Family Caregivers of Children on the Autism Spectrum.

Jesse Sam, Farah Ahmad, Tareq Khalaf, Anjana Sathies, Sukaina Dada

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Jesse SamSchool of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada.
Farah AhmadSchool of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-9747-1148
Tareq KhalafSchool of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada.
Anjana SathiesSchool of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada.
Sukaina DadaSMILE Canada-Support Services, Toronto, ON M1T 3V3, Canada.

Funding

York University Generic Research Funds: 480812
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundImmigrant and racialized families raising children on the autism spectrum in Canada navigate intersecting inequities shaped by racism, language barriers, immigration status, and fragmented health and education systems. Yet their perspectives remain underrepresented in autism and health policy research.

methodsGuided by the socioecological and critical social science lens, this community-based participatory study employed a PhotoVoice approach in partnership with SMILE Canada-Support Services. Ten immigrant and/or racialized family caregivers from the Greater Toronto area participated in four in-person sessions involving ethical training, guided photo-taking, group-based reflections, and collaborative theme refinement. The data included 38 participant-generated photographs, narratives, and an audio-recorded final group discussion.

resultsSeven interrelated themes were identified: (1) family support and child needs; (2) physical and emotional burden on caregivers; (3) school support or its missingness; (4) stigma and discrimination; (5) overall journey with barriers; (6) transitions and uncertainty; and (7) two sides of a coin: isolation and strength, loneliness and hope. Caregivers highlighted extensive invisible labor, exclusionary schooling, financial and systemic barriers, and cumulative stress. Simultaneously, they articulated resilience, mutual support, and a strong sense of collective responsibility. The PhotoVoice process itself was experienced as validating, unifying, and empowering, with participants expressing readiness to disseminate findings through exhibitions, school boards, universities, and policy-engagement initiatives.

conclusionsCaregiving among immigrant and racialized families is both a profound act of love and a site of structural injustice. Centering on caregivers as co-researchers and knowledge holders reveals urgent needs for equity-oriented autism policies and culturally responsive, accessible support systems in Canada.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderCaregiversEmigrants and ImmigrantsAdultCanadaChildCommunity-Based Participatory ResearchFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPhotographyRacismautismfamily caregiverimmigrantphotovoiceracialized

Identifiers

PMID41752304
PMCPMC12941143

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.