Parents of youth with autism spectrum disorder needed for advocacy study

Parents of youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are invited to participate in a research study testing the ASSIST (Advocating for SupportS to Improve Service Transition) program. ASSIST aims to improve parents’ ability to advocate for adult services on behalf of their son or daughter with ASD.

The parent of a son or daughter with ASD who is between 16 and 26 years old is eligible to participate. The parent must also have availability to attend a 12-week training program (a weekly 2-hour session after business hours).

This study will require a screening phone call, a packet of questionnaires, and one visit to the lab at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for the parent and son or daughter with ASD. During the lab visit, a behavioral assessment with interviews and questionnaires with parent and son or daughter will be conducted.

After that, parents will be invited to attend the ASSIST training or receive the ASSIST written materials (with the possibility of attending the in-person training at a later time). Groups will be randomly assigned. Follow-up data will be collected from families over subsequent years. Study participation may last up to 3.5 years.

Parents can earn up to $325 for study participation, and participants with ASD can earn up to $100.

To learn more about this study, please contact Study Coordinator Florencia Pezzimenti at transitions@vumc.org or at (615) 322-2943.