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This proposal aims to strengthen interdisciplinary research at UNT in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to inform practice & improve outcomes for individuals with ASD. By studying collaborative processes, creating a blueprint for research, it seeks to establish UNT as a leader in this field.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Cluster Proposal #12 Discussion and Elaboration May 19, 2008
ASD Cluster Goals 1.)Strengthen and expand current UNT field-based research and training programs within varied disciplines and sectors 2.)Use the context provided by these research and training endeavors to study and improve collaborative processes and outcomes 3.)Study the contingencies, methods and goals of these separate and often contentious groups to create an interdisciplinary blueprint which can be used to generate research that informs practice and moves all counterparts forward 4.)Establish UNT as the leader in the development of interdisciplinary research paradigms and practices and cross sector collaboration that improves the lives of those with autism
Autism Spectrum Disorders:A non-discriminatory condition affecting every aspect of the human experience Transformative Research Model: Recursive and field-based approach to understand communities of knowledge and practice Research on efficacy, fidelity, feasibility, and validity of service technologies in schools, homes, and clinics Epistemology Services Autism Society Families Research on family systems and supports Research on social policy, social justice and preparation of professionals to serve society
Epistemology and the UNT ASD Research Cluster Ways of knowing Paradigms, Languages, Values, Beliefs, Systems of Knowing Methods, Populations Settings, Goals Outcomes & Contingencies Distinguishing Science from pseudoscience Current expertise Scientific (COE, PACS) Philosophic (CAS) Organizational (PACS/SLIS) Media (CAS) Needed expertise Visiting scholars Research on understanding communities of knowledge and practice: how various disciplines and sectors interact with one another Epistemology
Community Services and UNT Research Current: Education (COE) Technology (SLIS, COE) Intervention (PACS) Needed: Public Health/Community Behavior Analysis (PACS) “Medical Home” Expert Applied Pediatric Researcher Research on efficacy, fidelity, feasibility, and validity of services, treatments, and service technologies in schools, homes, and clinics Services New Initiatives: Child Study Center, Easter Seals, Behavior Analysis, Applied Anthropology, Educational Psychology
Society and UNT Research Current: Social Justice (CAS) Social Policy (COE) Professional training interventionists (PACS) Professional training educators (COE) Ph.D. & M.S. Autism Conference Professional training in information & technology (SLIS, COE) Professional training counselors (COE) Research on social policy, social justice, and the preparation of professionals to serve society Society • New Initiatives: • SPED DOE (COE) Ph.D./M ED. Grant • DBA -1 Autism Faculty line, and 1 Autism Research Scientist (PACS) • Stockholm (PACS) & Vietnam (COE) Professional Training Programs
Families and UNT Research Current: Culture (PACS) Counseling (COE) In-home training and support (COE) Intervention (PACS) Needed: Family Support (COE & SLIS) Systems Expert Connections between Family, Services, and Society (Education & Advocacy) Model for Family Support and Technology Use Research on family systems and supports, counseling, knowledge of educational placements and the rights of individuals with disabilities, interventions, local and national support systems Families
A Recursive and Field-based Approach to Understanding Synergistic Collaboration ASD, a pervasive and controversial disorder Collapse of divisions Divided research contexts Need for a new paradigm Create a field-based context for reciprocal interactions between theory, research and practice Study this process and create recursive methods and guideposts for practitioners, researchers and theorists dedicated to having their research agendas influenced and informed by the whole How will we do this?
Proposed Activities • Convocation on Applied ASD Research, Journal of Interdisciplinary Action Research, Visiting Scholar Series, Research Colloquia • Systems Researcher Hire, Expanded Research Programs in Epistemology, Families, Services, & Society, Publications, Presentations, Grant Applications • Mentorship at UG, G, and Post-doctoral levels
Contributions to UNT Strategic Plan Equity and access in the acquisition of knowledge, services, technology, and resources needed to support individuals with ASD Harnessing the power of faculty and student ideas to develop systemic paradigms of support for the many disciplines affected by ASD Fostering global communication and national and international dialogue on educational and support paradigms
Competing and Complementary Programs Complementary Southwestern Medical Center Missing context of study and practice Connections UNT Health Science Center (Public Health Program) Competing Centers for interdisciplinary studies (e.g. UW, UCSD, Yale, Stanford) Collections of researchers, Focus on Co-location In other regions of the country Primarily Basic and Biomedical Research
UNT ASD ClusterExpected Accomplishments UNT “International Research Convocation on Interdisciplinary and Cross Sector Research on Autism Services” UNT “Journal of Interdisciplinary Action Research” UNT Grant Awards - (OAR, DOE, NIH, NSF) UNT integrated services in schools, clinics, homes and communities for persons with autism from infancy to adulthood UNT training of entry and advanced level professionals skilled in collaboration and research and trained in model service-learning settings UNT national and international presentations and publications UNT distance education modules designed for interdisciplinary scholars
