Families FORWARD

Project Overview 

Families FORWARD is a community-based program that focuses on developing individualized transition planning for families of youth on the autism spectrum. The program is being developed in two phases. In Phase 1, input is gathered from service providers and families representing a range of cultural backgrounds and autism-related experiences. In Phase 2, a proof-of-concept trial will be conducted to test the effectiveness of the program in improving transition planning and decreasing service use disparities across the transition to adulthood for youth on the autism spectrum and their families. The ultimate goal of this program is to improve outcomes for youth on the autism spectrum and their families during this critical developmental period.

Roles and Responsibilities 

As a Postdoctoral Associate on the project, I lead all aspects of research under the direction of Drs. Kristin Long and Gael Orsmond. My responsibilities include:

• Developing and refining qualitative interview guides

• Conducting semi-structured interviews with a linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse sample of parents, youth, and community providers

• Incorporating feedback into the design of Families FORWARD

• Using community-engaged research methods, such as collaboration with a community advisory board (CAB) comprised of youth on the autism spectrum and their parents

• Coordinating and maintaining IRB review

• Designing recruitment materials

• Developing feasibility measures

• Managing a large research team

• Developing and delivering the program training to community providers

• Recruiting for and leading the trial

• Managing and analyzing qualitative data

• Disseminating findings through multiple conference presentations.