Understanding Autism in India: A Mixed-Methods Study of Parent’s Perspectives

Project Overview 

The project was aimed to explore the experiences and mechanisms that contribute to optimizing developmental outcomes in children on the autism spectrum from the perspectives of parents. This research was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of Kansas and employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. The study resulted in three papers focusing on parents’ concerns, family structure and social support, and autism-related stigma and self-reliance. The implications of this research included advancing evidence-based strategies, improving understanding, identifying barriers, reducing stigma, and empowering families. Currently, I am leading the development of a manuscript with a team of research and community-experts for Autism Journal to disseminate these findings.

Roles and Responsibilities 

As the Principal Investigator (PI) for the project Understanding Autism in India: A Mixed-Methods Study of Parents’ Perspectives, I oversaw all aspects of the study, including:

• Developing and refining research questions and hypotheses

• Designing the study and selecting appropriate research methods

• Ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines and regulations

• Collecting and managing quantitative and qualitative data

• Supervising and mentoring junior researchers and students

• Coordinating with collaborators and partners for data analysis and integration

• Disseminating research findings through presentations, talks, and publications