Autism Supports in Rural Communities | Caregivers

Thank you for participating a survey discovering access to autism supports in rural communities. By completing this survey, your identity is not known, nor will it be shared. By clicking "Yes" below, you agree to let the data collected be used, in a graph or chart for Tess Lawson's personal and educational research about autism. The data will be presented in March, 2018, at an educational conference at National University in California. The data may be used for other educational purposes, such as websites, publications, and at conferences. If you are not comfortable with your compiled data being shared, please do not click "Yes", simply exit out of this survey.

When my loved one was diagnosed, this was their age:

How long has it been since your loved one was diagnosed?

On the day the doctor told you the diagnosis, were you also told about what autism is?

Within the first 3 months after diagnosis, did you have further questions about autism, but lacked access to trusted education supports?

Did the diagnosing doctor refer you to a local education or resources, such as an autism support group or disabilities Arc?

Did you have access to the education you wanted after the diagnosis?

Did the diagnosing doctor or family doctor tell you about ABA, or other forms of evidence-based autism supports, within the 1st month of diagnosis?

Since diagnosis, have you alone taught yourself how to find credible, safe information on the internet for: autism education, interventions, ABA, or evidence-based teaching?

Within the first 6 months of diagnosis, did a medical provider tell you where to find credible, safe information on the internet for: autism education, interventions, ABA, or evidence-based teaching?

Were you personally aware of where the closest ABA or evidence-based intervention supports were located in your area, due to general knowledge in your community?

Did the diagnosing doctor or family practitioner explain to you the closest intervention supports in your area?

Do you know what ABA is now?

If you do know what ABA is now, how did you learn about it? (choose all that apply)

When your loved one was diagnosed, would you have liked to have been referred to a local workshop to gain knowledge and supports?

When your loved one was diagnosed, were you (caregiver or family member) given education about stressors specific to caring for autism?

When your loved one was diagnosed, were you (caregiver or family member), offered education or supports for your own personal stress and/or grief management?

How long between an autism diagnosis was it before your loved one attained at least one intervention service (excluding school supports). Please include the type(s) of intervention, and how long it took to begin services. Examples:, Type "Birth-3 supports- 3 months" or "ABA-9 months" [Other intevention examples are CBT, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy). If NO intervention has been acquired, type "Diagnosis ____years/months ago and no intervention"

These next questions see what knowledge you have about ABA and behaviors. This is not graded, just type what you think. Click "OK" to continue. OK

Can you describe how much time and what kind of caregiver involvement is required for ABA services?

Can you confidently describe what you need to do for your loved one to have the highest chances of getting ABA services?

Can you confidently define what ABA stands for?

What is one main reason aggressive behaviors occur in autism?

How can someone prepare for ABA services?

Since I cannot access ABA in my county and the wait list is long, my loved one cannot get ABA services.

If I heard there was a locally hosted, free, short class about autism, local supports, and autism interventions--and I could attend it completely at home from my computer, I would like to sign up.

If I heard there was a free, local, short class teaching about autism, local supports, and behaviors, and some of the coursework was completed online (but at my leisure) I would be interested in attending.

What kind of knowledge or supports about autism do you wish you had, but you don't?

Please type in the name of the County and state you lived within the first 3 months of the autism diagnosis.