Kimberly Frame Dissertation Final Defense

The College of Education, Health and

Human Sciences

Announces the Final Examination of

Kimberly Frame

for the degree of

Doctor of Education

July 17, 2014 at 11:30 am

405 Ball Hall, University of Memphis

Memphis, TN

Biographical Sketch

Bachelors of Science, Psychology, University of Florida

Masters of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis, University of North Texas

Advisory Committee

Laura Baylot-Casey, PhD, Associate Professor, Instruction and Curriculum Leadership, Committee chair

Mark Conley, PhD, Professor, Instruction and Curriculum Leadership

Robert Williamson, EdD, Assistant Professor, Instruction and Curriculum Leadership

Neal Miller, PhD, Assistant Professor, Instruction and Curriculum Leadership

Major Field of Study

  Special Education

Period of Preparation:  2010 – 2014

Comprehensive Examination Passed: April 2013

Parental reports of variables influencing parental choices of treatments for their child with autism spectrum disorder. 

Abstract

Autism is a diagnosis that often leaves families faced with more questions than answers.  With a multitude of choices for possible treatments for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is important to understand parental perceptions of why they choose one ASD treatment over another for their child.  The following research used a mixed methods approach in an effort to identify these reasons.  This study used a survey that was available online through autism related communities.  The quantitative analysis consisted of a Fischer’s Exact test.  The results for these tests indicated that there were no correlations between the ASD diagnosis or length of time the child had an ASD diagnosis and the treatments the parents reported selecting.  In addition there no correlations between the parent’s education and the ASD treatments parents reported selecting.  From a qualitative perspective, five themes emerged.  The themes were as follows: 1) Parents were overwhelmed with the enormous amount of information about ASD treatments; 2) Information about ASD treatments was confusing and conflicting; 3) Parental input and desired outcomes were significant factors when determining the types of goals selected for ASD treatment(s); 4) Concerns about safety, ability to use a treatment, or the necessity of a treatment largely contributed to the treatments parents did not select; 5) Encountering problems when selecting or implementing an ASD treatment affected the selection of or continued use of a treatment.  This mixed methods approach was an initial step toward future research that may delve into a more scientific causal analysis of parental treatment choices for ASD.

 

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