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.
Presentations
Meyer, R., Guan, S., Suswaram, S., Eilenberg, J. S., Wilson, J., Feng, W., Chu, A., & Long, K.A. (2023, August). The influence of culture on stigma and self-blame experienced by parents of youth with autism. American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. [In-person]
Eilenberg, J.S., Suswaram, S., Gordillo, M., Gabovitch, E., Martin, K., & Long, K.A (2023, May). Community-based research approaches to meaningfully engage racially and ethnically diverse first-person autistic perspectives in qualitative research. International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting, Stockholm, Älvsjö, Sweden. [In-person]
Invited Presentations
Suswaram, S. (2023, March). Expanding our Research Horizon to Include Autistic Adolescents and Adults. Invited Conference Lecture. Annual Conference at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for Hearing Healthcare Professionals, Philadelphia, PA. [In-person]
Suswaram, S. (2023, March). A Socio-Cultural Perspective on Communication Development in Minimally Verbal/Nonspeaking Autistic Individuals. Center for Autism Research Excellence (CARE), Boston University, Boston, MA. [In-person]