Families FORWARD

Project Overview 

Families FORWARD was a community-based program designed to develop individualized transition planning for families of youth on the autism spectrum. The program was developed in two phases. In Phase 1, input was gathered from service providers and families representing a range of cultural backgrounds and autism-related experiences. In Phase 2, a proof-of-concept trial was conducted to test the program’s effectiveness in improving transition planning and reducing service use disparities across the transition to adulthood for youth on the autism spectrum and their families. The ultimate goal of the program was to improve outcomes for youth on the autism spectrum and their families during this critical developmental period. Currently, I am the lead author on a publication disseminating findings from this project under development. 

Roles and Responsibilities 

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

• 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 collaborating with a community advisory board (CAB) composed 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 program training to community providers

• Leading recruitment and overseeing the trial

• Managing and analyzing qualitative data

• Disseminating findings through multiple conference presentations