EKU Team Advances Autism Support in Ecuador

RICHMOND — A global health initiative in Ecuador became a life-changing experience for Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) student Haley Hintz and Psychology Professor Dr. Myra Beth Bundy. 

In March, the two traveled to South America to provide autism assessments and clinical training in a medically underserved community. The CDC estimates 1 in 31 children has autism in the United States. 

Hintz, a clinical psychology doctoral student from Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Bundy, faculty coordinator for the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic, participated in a medical brigade organized by Shoulder to Shoulder Global, a University of Kentucky Global Health Initiative. They joined a team of professionals from a variety of specialties, including OB/GYN, optometry, physical therapy and pediatrics, to improve the well-being of communities in Santo Domingo, Ecuador. Hintz and Bundy were both eager for the opportunity to learn from a different culture and use their clinical skills to make a difference globally.

“As the School of Opportunity, EKU’s impact is not only regional or statewide, it reaches worldwide,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “Opportunities for students to engage in global experiences, especially in areas like healthcare, provide transformative learning that changes lives—not only for our students, but also for the communities they serve.”

Working side by side with local pediatricians, psychologists and medical students, Hintz and Bundy conducted pediatric neurodevelopmental assessments using a training-based evaluation model. The assessments screened for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), developmental delays and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), offering local providers experience using standardized assessment tools. 

Their primary goal was to equip healthcare workers in the community with the skills and knowledge to continue developmental evaluations and provide psychoeducation beyond Hintz and Bundy’s time in the country. 

“I remember one family specifically had an extremely kind, loving boy with ASD. We were able to give the child a cognitive developmental assessment which demonstrated that he had great skills in thinking and learning, a skill that is sometimes impacted by ASD. The family began crying and stated, ‘Thank you for telling me my child is smart,’” Hintz said. 

Hintz was struck by the insight and resilience of the families they served. Many had already self-identified their children’s needs and had turned to independent research and social media for support. The team from EKU provided families with practical resources, including speech therapy techniques, picture communication systems, sensory tools, adaptive aids and educational guidance. Hintz deepened her learning on the subject, as well, and appreciated the multitude of ways families in the community were treating ASD. 

“For example, Dr. Bundy and I loved hearing stories of families using horse therapy to help their child learn a new skill, tolerate sensory sensitivities and connect with others,” Hintz said.

EKU’s Whitlock Autism Learning Center (WALC) helped make the trip possible and provided funding for essential resources for the Tena, Ecuador community, including the ADOS-2 diagnostic tool, sensory locks, chewing toys to prevent self-injury, reusable diapers and a picture communication system. 

“We are extremely grateful for WALC's support,” said Hintz. “It is great to know that their influence from Kentucky expands to children on a different continent.”

WALC supports and celebrates autistic individuals and their families at EKU and beyond. Bundy encourages EKU students interested in autism-related global outreach to get involved.

Inspired by the impact of their work, Hintz and Bundy are eager to return to Ecuador and further improve their training. Hintz envisions her future as a “provider of the world,” delivering care across borders and cultures.