Purpose: This grant application seeks to recruit and retain 66 graduate scholars in the Interdisciplinary Program in Autism at Nazareth (I-SPAN ). I-SPAN scholars will be graduate students enrolled in graduate programs across multiple disciplines, including: special education, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social work). Scholars will receive advanced professional preparation in identification, discipline-specific assessment, evaluation of evidence-based practices, and implementation or evidence-based supports for school-age children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I-SPAN addresses the need for highly qualified professionals with specialized knowledge to support the growing number of school-age children with ASD.
Method: I-SPAN will prepare professionals to engage in family-centered, evidence-based, and culturally competent assessment and intervention for school-age children with ASD. I-SPAN scholars will receive discipline-specific knowledge and skills, as well as inter-professional experiences to support professional preparation. Project performance will be evaluated at the individual and program level. The I-SPAN Logic model will guide project performance evaluation. Data sources for each I-SPAN goal and related objectives will be measured through multiple data sources, including individual participant data, summary program data, and survey data upon completion of the project.
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)
Autism Research Database (AFD)
