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USING AN INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGE TO SUPPORT ADULTS WITH AUTISM IN COMMUNICATING WITH A MEDICAL PROVIDER

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Date Issued:
2023
Abstract/Description:
Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience co-occurring physical and mental health challenges throughout their lives. At the same time, they often face many barriers to accessing proper care. Strategies to improve communication and understanding can help to mitigate some of these barriers. This study examined the effects of an instructional package, including a video module accompanied by guided notes, the Autism Healthcare Accommodations Tool (AHAT), and behavior skills training (BST) to teach adults with autism to communicate their unique needs and request accommodations from a medical provider. Participants completed a self-guided video module that guided them through the process of completing the notes and AHAT to identify appropriate accommodations and prepare for a doctor’s appointment. Once completed, participants learned to verbalize their needs and accommodations through BST. Results showed that the participants’ communication skills increased after the introduction of the instructional package, generalized to a novel doctor and maintained once the instructional package was removed. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Title: USING AN INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGE TO SUPPORT ADULTS WITH AUTISM IN COMMUNICATING WITH A MEDICAL PROVIDER.
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Name(s): Wood, Jacqueline M., author
Dukes, Charles , Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Department of Exceptional Student Education
College of Education
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2023
Date Issued: 2023
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 78 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience co-occurring physical and mental health challenges throughout their lives. At the same time, they often face many barriers to accessing proper care. Strategies to improve communication and understanding can help to mitigate some of these barriers. This study examined the effects of an instructional package, including a video module accompanied by guided notes, the Autism Healthcare Accommodations Tool (AHAT), and behavior skills training (BST) to teach adults with autism to communicate their unique needs and request accommodations from a medical provider. Participants completed a self-guided video module that guided them through the process of completing the notes and AHAT to identify appropriate accommodations and prepare for a doctor’s appointment. Once completed, participants learned to verbalize their needs and accommodations through BST. Results showed that the participants’ communication skills increased after the introduction of the instructional package, generalized to a novel doctor and maintained once the instructional package was removed. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Identifier: FA00014165 (IID)
Degree granted: Dissertation (PhD)--Florida Atlantic University, 2023.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Autism
Adults
Autism spectrum disorders--Patients--Behavior modification
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014165
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.