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 Autism
Classroom Connections |
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Information about the ACC Evaluation
The ACC series includes a 10- to 15-minute video designed to educate
typically developing children about ASD. ACC also includes a facilitator’s
guide with several adult-led discussions and activities to reinforce
main learning points of the video. The purpose of the ACC evaluation
is to examine the effectiveness of the video intervention in improving
peer knowledge about autism and promoting more positive attitudes toward
individuals with autism. In addition, the evaluation will determine
if the intervention increases social acceptance and improves peer relations
for children with ASD in general education classrooms.
For this, we are enrolling parents and teachers of children and teens
with autism or Asperger Syndrome. Parents will be asked to speak with
their child’s teacher about the program. The parents and the teacher
will be asked to complete a short set of questionnaires in the weeks
before and after the presentation. Any parent, teacher, or other advocate
of a child with ASD (e.g., a representative from a local Autism Society
of America [ASA] chapter or other advocacy organization) can do the
presentation. Danya will provide detailed instructions on how to conduct
the presentation, including the video and other classroom discussions
and activities. The presenter will work with the teacher to arrange
a date and time for the presentation. The parents, teacher, and presenter
will receive monetary compensation in thanks for their participation,
time, and effort.
The basic steps for each family enrolling in the ACC evaluation are
as follows:
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Contact the ACC Project Director at accinfo@danya.com
or (301) 565-2142 and provide contact information (phone, mailing
address, and e-mail). A member of the ACC project team will call
to provide an overview of the evaluation and answer any questions.
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Next, the project team will mail parent consent forms, a child
assent form, and a teacher consent form to the family via U.S. mail.
These forms are essentially permission forms for everyone participating
in the evaluation. Although the child will not complete any questionnaires,
it is important that he or she be in agreement about the study.
For those children with ASD who will not be able to understand the
assent process due to their disability, accommodations will be made.
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We will set up a time to call the parents again to answer any questions
they may have about the consent form or other aspects of the study.
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Once we receive the signed consent forms, we will ask for the parents’
assistance in talking with the teacher to schedule the presentation
in the classroom. Once the presentation date is selected, we will
send the first packet of questionnaires via U.S. mail to the parents
and the child’s teacher along with a stamped return address
envelope.
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The presenter will receive the ACC video and presentation instructions
for the discussions and activities. The ACC project team will be
available at any time to answer questions. Approximately one week
after the first packet of questionnaires has been received, the
video intervention and presentation will be conducted, most likely
by a parent, the teacher, or another adult advocate.
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The ACC team will send the second set of questionnaires to the
parents and teacher approximately one month following the presentation
with a stamped return address envelope.
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Parent, teacher, and presenter incentives will be sent out after
each packet of questionnaires is received and/or after the video
presentation.
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Once the study is complete, parents or teachers who are interested
can receive study results.
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The presenter must return the ACC video after the presentation,
but will be provided with a complete copy of ACC program including
the ACC video and accompanying facilitator's guide at no cost after
the study concludes.
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