Parents, I need your help!
Dear parents,
I am a doctoral student from Chicago who needs your help. I’ve worked with children with autism and their families for the past 6 years, and have worked to devote my future career to continue doing so. Thus, I wanted to make my dissertation topic relevant in order to further contribute to the field. One of the biggest steps, and many times problems, in dealing with autism is choosing one of the numerous treatments out there. Current research has not yet looked at factors that help parents to navigate though this process, nor does it look at individual treatments’ effects on parents themselves. I’ve designed a relatively short survey that would contribute to knowledge in this area, and could potentially help future parents as they too navigate the treatment world. I know that your time is extremely precious, but it would be absolutely invaluable to me, my research, and future parents that could make use of the results. As an added incentive, you will be entered into a contest to win one of four American Express gift cards to use however you like. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and to hopefully complete the survey (the link follows below). Have a wonderful day, and I wish the best of luck to you and your family!
Erin Wilrigs, MA
I am diagnosed ASD, and parent a child on the spectrum. Prehistoric strategies regarding autism supports have deferred to parents and caregivers - not autistics; an undeniably and unacceptable strategy.
Wouldn't balancing the way autism research is conducted provide meaningful and necessary solutions?
Most parents are/can be their minor child's best advocate; their love and intentions sincere. I believe without hesitation that it is my parental obligation to fulfill this role for my son.
Wouldn't including autistic adults and parents of autistic children in autism research be most effective?
I speak only for myself re: this topic; as a parent to an autistic son, as well as autistic myself. That said, deferring to parents and autistics is a win-win.
I appreciate both of your opinions, eireann012 and ooohprettycolors. Let's continue to have these conversations with a view to finding solutions.
I am looking forward to a day when the autism community will work together to find the answers, resources and supports.
Thank you, Erin. I appreciate the work you are doing, and for taking the time to clarify. Best to you in all that you do!
Parents parents parents!
It's all about the parents, isn't it? And if its not about the parents, then it must be about the children . . .without, of course, considering what is best for the children.
Why not ask about the stress levels of various "treatments" and therapies" on Autistic adults? Or even Autistic children? We all have stories . . .
That WOULD be relevent. Very, very little research is done involving the opinions, views, and stress levels Autistic adults.
In fact, a study just came out the other day which showed that if Autistic people are allowed to choose their own leisure activities, their level of stress goes down! Who whould have thought??? Does this mean science has proven we are human after all? (sarcasm: yes we can do it!).
So many treatments are really only beneficial to the parents and the teachers. If the "treatment" causes the kid shut up, sit still, give hugs, stop stimming, or whatever other thing the parent wants, then the parent's stress level may go down. This says nothing of if it is helping the Autistic kid. And it says nothing about whether such treatment will help the kid have a good quality of life as an adult.
I'm sure you mean well, Erin, but to be honest, the idea of evaluating treatments based on the amount of stress they give to caregivers is silly and could be dangerous. Raising a child, any child, is stressful. Raising a child with a disability comes with many challenges, but I don't think it is reasonable or scientifically sound for parents to choose therapies for their child based on how much stress it gives THEM. Parents already have giant gobs of quackery, new-age bullshit, and pseudoscience hurled at them. They are confused enough as it is and have a difficult time sifting through the junk to get at empirical scientific evidence. They don't need a study on the "feelings" of other parents to complicate the mess even further.
If you want to make your dissertation topic relevant to helping Autistic people, why not ask Autistic people what is relevent to us? Ask us what kind of research would improve our lives? I'm telling you, it isn't going to involve asking my mom anything.