Thesis Research Study :) Please help a 2nd year graduate student :)

[Guest guest]

I am currently a full time graduate student in the Department of Communication

Disorders at Paterson University. As partial fulfillment of the

requirement for the degree I am required to conduct an empirical research with

the guidance of my thesis Supervisor.

I have chosen to conduct a survey which examines the predicting factors that

attribute to the decision process of treatment selection in parents of children

with autism. This survey will look at factors such as the characteristics of

the parents, the child with autism, and the various treatments that have and are

being used. This survey will also look at how and if quality of life (QOL) also

plays a part in the decision making process. These predicting factors will then

be taken into account to suggest better and more specific supports and

interventions for families of children with autism. Factors such as when the

child was diagnosed, the parents knowledge of autism, family/community

acceptance and support, as well and finances play a factor in quality of life

perspective. These factors should be taken into account in policy making to

provide better and more specific supports and interventions for families with

children with autism. The intent of this research is to increase both the

public's and professional's knowledge regarding the predicting factors that

impede on parents. This study will be surveying parents of children with

autism, of all ages in all parts of the state of New Jersey.

The goal of this study is to help both those in the profession and the general

public gain an insight on how raising a child with autism greatly impacts the

child's parents; as well as the factors that play a part in what treatment

selections parents make in regards to their child's treatment.

I will gladly provide you outcome of this research. Be assured that all results

of this study will be maintained with utmost confidentiality by assigning each

child a numerical code.

Participation in this study is voluntary and you may stop completing the

survey at any time and you do not have to answer any question(s) you choose not

to answer. You understand that your identity will not be revealed in any way

through participation in this study; you will not write your name on this

document and the results will not be reported in a way that will reveal

individual participants. If you do not want to complete this survey you may

return it uncompleted as instructed for completed documents or you may keep it.

If you choose to participate, you will complete this document by completing it

online.

Here is the link for the survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/predictingfactorsautism

Thanks in advance!!!