Parents of Youth on the Autism Spectrum
If you’re ready to talk to your teen or young adult about sex, relationships, puberty and more...
Join Our Study!
We worked with parents, young people on the autism spectrum, and experts to create skill-building resources to enhance conversations between parents and their youth on a variety of sexuality topics.
Our focus: communication strategies, developing bodies, healthy relationships, and sexual and reproductive health
Now we want to know if you find them helpful!
Who?
We are looking for parents or guardians and their autistic teens/young adults to help us learn if the resource is helpful.
You might be eligible if you have a child on the autism spectrum between the ages of 13-21, who lives with you at least part time, you are both in the United States, and are both looking to participate.
What?
Teaching our children about healthy relationships, changing bodies, and sexual health can be difficult. That’s why we have created an online skill-building resource to help you feel confidant navigating these topics.
This resource was created with lots of input from parents of autistic people and experts in teaching these topics.
When
The study will begin in June. Participants who want to join later are welcome.
Study activities will happen over a 6-month period of time.
How?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this about?
We are creating an online resource for parents of youth on the autism spectrum. The resource is about developing bodies, healthy relationships, and sexual and reproductive health. We want to see if the resource helps people communicate.
If you take part in this study, you may be asked to use this online skill-building resource. You will be asked to complete online surveys and record three conversations with your teen or young adult. This will help us learn whether the resource was helpful for you.
Who is running the study?
We are from dfusion, a small business that makes products to improve health. dfusion has done many research studies with youth and adults. Learn more at dfusioninc.com.This project is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research grant #90BISB0022-02-00.
What would I be asked to do?
We will divide the participants into two groups. There is a fifty-fifty chance to be in either group. You will either be in the video library group or in the online flyer group. Each group will have access to the assigned resource right away. At the end of the six months, everyone will have access to both resources.
Regardless of group, all parent participants will be asked to:
- Record three, ~5 minute conversations with their child about an assigned topic. The conversations will be recorded at the beginning of the study, after 3 months, and after 6 months in the study.
- Complete three online surveys about yourself and your child at the same time points. This will take around 30 minutes for each survey.
- Submit four conversation logs reflecting on conversations with your child.
- Use the study materials as much as you want to.
All of these study activities will take place over 6 months and will take 4–6 hours of time or less to complete. Parent participants will receive monetary compensation for each study activity completed. You can earn up to $350 for participating
Regardless of group, all youth participants will be asked to:
- Complete three online surveys about themself, one at the beginning of the study, one after 3 months, and one after 6 months. This will take around 30 minutes each survey.
- Youth will earn compensation for each survey, up to $75 total.
Do I have to take part?
No. You can choose whether or not to take part. Participation is voluntary and you may choose to stop participating in the study at any time with no consequences. You do not have to answer any survey questions if you do not want to. If you feel uncomfortable or distressed during the recorded conversations, you can stop at any time.
What are the benefits of taking part?
By taking part in this study, you will help us make sure that the online library is helpful and will help us improve this tool in order to support parents and autistic people. You will have the opportunity to access new resources that may improve your conversation and teaching skills.
What if I have questions?
Here are two people you can email or call for more details about the project:
BA Laris, Project Director: 831-222-5091; ba.laris@dfusioninc.com
Izzy Schieber, Research Associate: elizabeth.schieber@dfusioninc.com