Autism Intervention Research Network on Behavioral Health (AIR-B Network)
Grantee: UCLA
Principal Investigator: Connie Kasari
Project Number: UA3MC11055
Project Date: 9/1/2008
Age group(s)
- Toddlerhood (13-35 months)
- Early Childhood (3-5 years)
- Middle Childhood (6-11 years)
- Adolescence (12-18 years)
Abstract
Proven-efficacious autism interventions are complicated to deliver, intensive and expensive. As a result, community practice rarely mirrors the evidence base for autism intervention. This research-to-practice gap reflects a fundamental challenge to traditional university-based intervention research, which rarely examines the effectiveness (as opposed to efficacy) of interventions, and even less commonly examines strategies to implement interventions in community settings so that they sustain. Challenges to implementation are exacerbated among in poor school districts; these districts, which provide the bulk of intervention to children with autism, rarely have the capacity to deliver proven-efficacious interventions as they were designed. Our AIR-B network has developed and tested interventions to address autism's core symptoms. A central part of our mission is to broaden the diversity of research contexts to assess generalizability of our interventions. We now move from testing interventions to partnering with a diverse array of school districts and other community settings to develop and test strategies to ensure that these interventions are effectively implemented in community settings.Goals and Objectives:
To identify barriers and to advance strategies for the deployment of evidence-based interventions for core features of autism effectively and sustainably in under-resourced schools and communities with highly diverse and underserved children.
Methodology:
Using innovative techniques from implementation science and community-based participatory research, we will establish partnerships with local schools, involve community members (administration, teachers, support staff, parents) in identifying and responding to priorities, and develop manualized protocols for deployment and training. We will then deploy the selected evidence-based interventions and evaluate the effects of the deployment strategies on community practices and child outcomes. In other Network activities, we will study the use of efficacious interventions with under-served children with ASD through analysis of our archived AIR-B I data, as well as through new initiatives driven by our collaborating partners.
Coordination:
In this competing continuation of AIR-B we continue our original AIR-B collaborations with: University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as the lead site, University of Michigan; University of Washington; Florida State University; and Kennedy Krieger Institute. We also propose two new partners, the University of Pennsylvania and University of Rochester. The PIs at these sites form a team that is at the forefront in the areas of autism screening, identification, and intervention development and implementation research. Additionally, we will work closely with other networks, including LEND, DBP, AIR-P, and ATN, many already connected with our team of collaborating research entities.
Evaluation:
Quantitative and qualitative implementation science methods will be employed to test the effectiveness and sustainability of evidence based practices in community settings. Additional studies will employ other methodologies to validate tools, test efficacy and barriers to access in archived AIR-B data (based on randomized controlled trials) as well as new data collection in pilot projects to be determined.
Annotation:
The proposed Network will provide a model for moving evidence-based psychosocial interventions for children with autism from research to under-resourced practice settings. If successful, the Network will increase the use of proven-effective interventions for children with autism, improving outcomes for these children, and increase inclusion of traditionally under-represented research participants.
Publications
Listed is descending order by year published.
Hassrick EM, Sosnowy C, Holmes LG, Walton J, and Shattuck PT. (2020) Social capital and autism in young adulthood: applying social network methods to measure the social capital of autistic young adults. Autism in Adulthood.
Dean M, Williams J, Orlich F, and Kasari C (2020) Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and social skills groups at school: a randomized trial comparing intervention environment and peer composition, School Psychology Review, 49:1, 60-73
Iadarola S, Pellecchia M, Stahmer A, Lee HS, Hauptman L, Hassrick E, Kasari C. Mind the gap: an intervention to support caregivers with a new Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis is feasible and acceptable. Journal of Pilot and Feasibility Studies.
Reynolds AM, Connoly HV, Katz T, Goldman SE, Weiss SK, Halbower AC, Shui AM, Macklin EA, Hyman SL, Malow BA. Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Ferrous Sulfate to Treat Insomnia in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Pediatric Neurology
Vibert BA, Dufek, S, Klein CB et al. Quantifying caregiver change across early autism interventions using the Measure of NDBI Strategy Implementation: Caregiver Change (MONSI-CC). J Autism Dev Disord 50, 1364-1379 (2020).
Stahmer AC, Vejnoska S, Iadarola S, et al. Caregiver voices: cross-cultural input on improving access to autism services. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2019;6(4):752-773. doi:10.1007/s40615-019-00575-y
Grzadzinski R, Lord C, Sanders SJ, Werling D, Bal VH. Children with autism spectrum disorder who improve with fever: Insights from the Simons Simplex Collection. Autism Res. 2018 Jan;11(1):175-84.
Iadarola S, Shih W, Dean M, Blanch E, Harwood R, Hetherington S, Mandell D, Kasari C, Smith T. Implementing a Manualized, Classroom Transition Intervention for Students With ASD in Underresourced Schools. Behav Modif. 2018 Jan;42(1):126-147.
Kennedy-Hendricks A, Epstein AJ, Mandell DS, Candon MK, Marcus SC, Xie M, Barry CL. Effects of State Autism Mandate Age Caps on Health Service Use and Spending Among Adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2018 Feb;57(2):125-31.
Locke J, Anderson A, Frederick L, Kasari C. Understanding friendship sex heterophily and relational characteristics to optimize the selection of peer models for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2018,48(12):4010-4018
Nuske HJ, McGhee Hassrick E, Bronstein B, Hauptman L, Aponte C, Levato L, Stahmer A, Mandell DS, Mundy P, Kasari C, Smith T. Broken bridges-new school transitions for students with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review on difficulties and strategies for success. Autism. 2018 Feb 1:1362361318754529.
Nuske HJ, McGhee Hassrick E, et al. Broken bridges–new school transitions for students with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review on difficulties and strategies for success Autism. [published online ahead of print February 1, 2018].
Azad GF, Locke J, Kasari C, Mandell DS. Race, disability, and grade: social relationships in children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism. 2017. Jan;21(1):92-99.
Dean M, Harwood R, Kasari C. The art of camouflage: Gender differences in the social behaviors of girls and boys with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. 2017 Aug;21(6):678-689. doi: 10.1177/1362361316671845. Epub 2016 Nov 29. PubMed PMID: 27899709.
Leslie DL, Iskandarani K, Velott DL, Stein BD, Mandell DS, Agbese E, Dick AW. Medicaid Waivers Targeting Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Reduce The Need For Parents To Stop Working. Health Aff (Millwood). 2017 Feb 1;36(2):282-288.
Locke J, Kang-Yi CD, Pellecchia M, Marcus S, Hadley T, Mandell DS. Ethnic disparities in school-based behavioral health service use for children with psychiatric disorders. J Sch Health. 2017;87(1):47-54.
Locke J, Williams J, Shih W, Kasari C. Characteristics of socially successful elementary school-aged children with autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017 Jan;58(1):94-102.
Locke J, Williams J, Shih W, Kasari C. Characteristics of socially successful elementary school-aged children with autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017;58(1):94-102.
Locke J, Wolk CB, Harker C, Olsen A, Shingledecker T, Barg F, Mandell D, Beidas R. Pebbles, rocks, and boulders: The implementation of a school-based social engagement intervention for children with autism. Autism. 2017 Nov;21(8):985-994.
Locke, J., Williams, J., Shih, W., & Kasari, C. Characteristics of socially successful elementary school‐aged children with autism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2017;58(1), 94-102.
McIntyre NS, Solari EJ, Gonzales JE, Solomon M, Lerro LE, Novotny S, Oswald TM, Mundy PC. The Scope and Nature of Reading Comprehension Impairments in School-Aged Children with Higher-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2017 Sep;47(9):2838-60.
Smith T, Iadarola S, Mandell DS, Harwood R, Kasari C. Community-Partnered Research With Urban School Districts That Serve Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Acad Pediatr. 2017 Aug;17(6):614-619. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2017.04.017. Epub 2017 Apr 25. PubMed PMID: 28454928.
Solari, E.J., Grimm, R., McIntyre, N.S., Lerro, L.S., Zajic, M., Mundy, P.C. The relation between text reading fluency and reading comprehension for students with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2017 41-42:8-19.
Stahmer AC. Toward a more collaborative research culture: Extending translational science from research to community and back again. Autism. April 2017;21(3):259-261.
Anderson A, Locke J, Kretzmann M, Kasari C, AIR-B Network. Social network analysis of children with autism spectrum disorder: Predictors of fragmentation and connectivity in elementary school classrooms. Autism. 2016;20(6):700-709.
Azad GF, Kim M, Marcus SC, Mandell DS, Sheridan SM. Parent-Teacher Communication about Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Examination of Collaborative Problem-Solving. Psychol Sch. 2016 Dec;53(10):1071-1084.
Azad, G., Locke, J., Kasari, C., and Mandell, D. Ethnicity, disability, and grade: Social relationships in children with autism spectrum disorders in elementary school. Autism. 2016; 21;1: 92 - 9
Carr T, Shih W, Lawton K, et al. The relationship between treatment attendance, adherence, and outcome in a caregiver-mediated intervention for low-resourced families of young children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. 2016 Aug;20(6):643-652.
Chang YC, Shih W, Kasari C. Friendships in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder: What holds them back, child characteristics or teacher behavior? Autism. 2016 Jan;20(1):65-74. doi: 10.1177/1362361314567761. Epub 2015 Feb 18. PubMed PMID: 25694583.
Grzadzinski R, Carr T, Colombi C, et al. Measuring changes in social communication behaviors: preliminary development of the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change (BOSCC). J Autism Dev Disord. 2016;46(7):2464-2479.
Harrop C, Gulsrud A, Shih W, Hovsepyan L, Kasari C. Characterizing caregiver responses to restricted and repetitive behaviors in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. 2016 Apr;20(3):330-42. doi: 10.1177/1362361315580443. Epub 2015 May 6. PubMed PMID: 25948600.
Iadarola S, Oakes LA, Shih W, Dean M, Smith T, Orlich F. Relationship among anxiety, depression, and family impact in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and average-range IQ. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. 2016.
Kasari C, Dean M, Kretzmann M, Shih W, Orlich F, Whitney R, Landa R, Lord C, King B. Children with autism spectrum disorder and social skills groups at school: a randomized trial comparing intervention approach and peer composition. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2016 Feb;57(2):171-179.
Kasari, C., & Smith, T. Forest for the Trees: Evidence-‐Based Practices in ASD. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. 2016 23(3), 260-264.
Locke J, Shih W, Kretzmann M, Kasari C. Examining playground engagement between elementary school children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Autism. 2016 Aug;20(6):653-662.
Locke, J., Beidas, R.S., Marcus, S., Stahmer, A., Aarons, G.A., Lyon, A.R., Cannuscio, C., Barg, F., Dorsey, S., Mandell, D.S. A mixed methods study of individual and organizational factors that affect implementation of interventions for children with autism in public schools. Implementation Science. 2016 11 (1):135.
Locke, J., Beidas, R.S., Marcus, S., Stahmer, A., Aarons, G.A., Lyon, A.R., Cannuscio, C., Barg, F., Dorsey, S., Mandell, D.S. A mixed methods study of individual and organizational factors that affect implementation of interventions for children with autism in public schools. Implementation Science. 2016 11(1);135.
Mandell DS, Barry CL, Marcus SC, Xie M, Shea K, Mullan K, Epstein AJ. Effects of Autism Spectrum Disorder Insurance Mandates on the Treated Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder. JAMA Pediatr. 2016 Sep 1;170(9):887-93. doi
Pellecchia M, Beidas RS, Marcus SC, Fishman J, Kimberly JR, Cannuscio CC, Reisinger EM, Rump K, Mandell DS. Study protocol: implementation of a computer-assisted intervention for autism in schools: a hybrid type II cluster randomized effectiveness-implementation trial. Implement Sci. 2016 Nov 25;11(1):154.
Shih W, Patterson SY, Kasari C. Developing an adaptive treatment strategy for peer-related social skills for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2016;45(4):469-479.
Stahmer AC, Suhrheinrich J, Mandell DS. The importance of characterizing intervention for individuals with autism. Autism. 2016 May;20(4):386-7. doi: 10.1177/1362361316637503. PubMed PMID: 27099383.
Suhrheinrich, J., Dickson, K.S., Rieth, S.R., Lau, A.F., Stahmer, A.C. Exploring the relationship between classroom type and teacher intervention fidelity. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education. 2016 9(2SpecialIssue):349-60.
Anagnostou E, Jones N, Huerta M, Halladay AK, Wang P, Scahill L, Horrigan JP, Kasari C, Lord C, Choi D, Sullivan K, Dawson G. Measuring social communication behaviors as a treatment endpoint in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. 2015 Jul;19(5):622-36.
Azad GF, Locke J, Downey MM, Xie M, Mandell DS. One-to-One Assistant Engagement in Autism Support Classrooms. Teach Educ Spec Educ. 2015 Nov 1;38(4):337-346.
Esler AN, Bal VH, Guthrie W, Wetherby A, Ellis Weismer S, Lord C. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Toddler Module: Standardized Severity Scores. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015;45(9):2704-2720.
Freeman SFN, Gulsrud A, Kasari C. Brief report: linking early joint attention and play abilities to later reports of friendships for children with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015;45(7):2259-2266.
Harrop C, Gulsrud A, Kasari C. Does gender moderate core deficits in ASD? An investigation into restricted and repetitive behaviors in girls and boys with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015;45(11):3644-3655.
Harrop C, Shire S, Gulsrud A, Chang YC. Does gender influence core deficits in ASD? An investigation into social-communication and play of girls and boys with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015 Mar;45(3):766-777.
Iadarola S, Hetherington S, Clinton C, et al. Services for children with autism spectrum disorder in three, large urban school districts: perspectives of parents and educators. Autism. 2015;19(6):694-703.
Jones RM, Risi S, Wexler D, et al. How interview questions are placed in time influences caregiver description of social communication symptoms on the ADI-R. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2015;56(5):577-585.
Kretzmann M, Shih W, Kasari C. Improving peer engagement of children with autism on the school playground: a randomized controlled trial. Behav Ther. 2015;46(1):20-28.
Locke J, Olsen A, Wideman R, et al. A tangled web: the challenges of implementing an evidence-based social engagement intervention for children with autism in urban public school settings. Behav Ther. 2015;46(1):54-67.
Bacon EC, Dufek S, Schreibman L, Stahmer AC, Pierce K, Courchesne E. Measuring outcome in an early intervention program for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder: use of a curriculum-based assessment. Autism Res Treat. 2014;2014:964704.
Dean M, Kasari C, Shih W, et al. The peer relationships of girls with ASD at school: comparison to boys and girls with and without ASD. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2014 Nov;55(11):1218-1225.
Grzadzinski RL, Luyster R, Gunn-Spencer A, Lord C. Separation and reunion behaviors of young children with autism spectrum disorders toward mothers and fathers. Autism, 2014;18(2),85-96.
Hus V, Gotham K, Lord C. Standardizing ADOS domain scores: separating severity of social affect and restricted and repetitive behaviors. J Autism Dev Disord. 2014;44(10):2400-2412.
Jones RM, Somerville LH, Li J, et al. Adolescent-specific patterns of behavior and neural activity during social reinforcement learning. Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci. 2014 Jun;14(2):683-697.
Kasari C, Lawton K, Shih W, et al. Caregiver-mediated intervention for low-resourced preschoolers with autism: an RCT. Pediatrics. 2014 Jul;134(1):e72-e79.
Kasari C, Shire S, Factor R, McCracken C. Psychosocial treatments for individuals with autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan: new developments and underlying mechanisms. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014 Nov;16(11):512.
Kasari C. Are we there yet? The state of early prediction and intervention in autism spectrum disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014;53(2):133-134.
Locke J, Rotheram-Fuller E, Xie M, Harker C, Mandell D. Correlation of cognitive and social outcomes among children with autism spectrum disorder in a randomized trial of behavioral intervention. Autism. 2014 May;18(4):370-5.
Lord C, Corsello C, Grzadzinski R. Diagnostic instruments in Autistic Spectrum Disorders. In F. Volkmar, S. Rogers, R. Paul, & K. Pelphrey (Eds.), Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2014. pp. 609-660.
MacDonald M, Lord C, Ulrich DA. Motor skills and calibrated autism severity in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Adapt Phys Activ Q. 2014 Apr;31(2):95-105.
Patterson SY, Elder L, Gulsrud A, Kasari C. The association between parental interaction style and children's joint engagement in families with toddlers with autism. Autism. 2014 Jul;18(5):511-8.
Dean M, Adams G, Kasari C. How narrative difficulties build peer rejection: a discourse analysis of a girl with autism and her female peers. Discourse Studies. 2013;15(2):147-166.
Freeman S, Kasari C. Parent-child interactions in autism: characteristics of play. Autism. 2013 Mar;17(2):147-61. doi: 10.1177/1362361312469269. Epub 2013 Feb 4. PubMed PMID: 23382513
Grzadzinski R, Huerta M, Lord C. DSM-5 and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs): an opportunity for identifying ASD subtypes. Mol Autism. 2013;4(1):12.
Jones RM, Lord C. Diagnosing autism in neurobiological research studies. Behav Brain Res. 2013;251:113-124.
Kasari C, Smith T. Interventions in schools for children with autism spectrum disorder: methods and recommendations. Autism. 2013;17(3):254-267.
MacDonald M, Lord C, Ulrich DA. The relationship of motor skills and social communicative skills in school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder. Adapt Phys Activ Q. 2013 Jul;30(3):271-282.
Parsons S, Kasari C. Schools at the centre of educational research in autism: possibilities, practices and promises. Autism. 2013 May;17(3):251-3.
Somerville LH, Jones RM, Ruberry EJ, Dyke JP, Glover G, Casey BJ. The medial prefrontal cortex and the emergence of self-conscious emotion in adolescence. Psychol Sci. 2013 Aug;24(8):1554-62.
Adkins KW, Goldman SE, Fawkes D, et al. A pilot study of shoulder placement for actigraphy in children. Behav Sleep Med. 2012;10(2):138-147.
Adkins KW, Molloy C, Weiss SK, et al. Effects of a standardized pamphlet on insomnia in children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2012;130(suppl 2):S139-S144.
Bohlander AJ, Orlich F, Varley CK. Social skills training for children with autism. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2012;59(1):165-174, xii.
Kasari C, Gulsrud A, Freeman S, Paparella T, Hellemann G. Longitudinal follow up of children with autism receiving targeted interventions on joint attention and play. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2012;51(5):487-495.
Kasari C, Patterson S. Interventions addressing social impairment in autism. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2012;14(6):713-725.
Kasari C, Rotheram-Fuller E, Locke J, Gulsrud A. Making the connection: randomized controlled trial of social skills at school for children with autism spectrum disorders. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2012;53(4):431-439.
Lawton K, Kasari C. Brief report: longitudinal improvements in the quality of joint attention in preschool children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2012 Feb;42(2):307-312.
Locke J, Rotheram-Fuller E, Kasari C. Exploring the social impact of being a typical peer model for included children with autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2012;42(9):1895-1905.
Lord C, Jones RM. Annual research review: re-thinking the classification of autism spectrum disorders. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2012;53(5):490-509.
Maglione MA, Gans D, Das L, et al. Nonmedical interventions for children with ASD: recommended guidelines and further research needs. Pediatrics. 2012;130(suppl 2):S169-S178.
Kasari C, Locke J, Gulsrud A, Rotheram-Fuller E. Social networks and friendships at school: comparing children with and without ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2011;41(5):533-544.
Kasari C, Lawton K. New directions in behavioral treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Curr Opin Neurol. 2010 Apr;23(2):137-143.
Lawton K, Kasari C. Social development and intervention in young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Young Exceptional Children. 2010; 12: 66-74.
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