autism spectrum disorder research cluster proposal #12 discussion and elaboration may 19, 2008

Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Cluster Proposal Research Cluster Proposal

#12#12

Discussion and Discussion and ElaborationElaborationMay 19, 2008

ASD Cluster GoalsASD Cluster Goals 1.)1.) Strengthen and expand current UNT field-based research and Strengthen and expand current UNT field-based research and

training programs within varied disciplines and sectors training programs within varied disciplines and sectors

2.)2.) Use the context provided by these research and training endeavors Use the context provided by these research and training endeavors to study and improve collaborative processes and outcomesto study and improve collaborative processes and outcomes

3.)3.) Study the contingencies, methods and goals of these separate and Study the contingencies, methods and goals of these separate and often contentious groups to create an interdisciplinary blueprint often contentious groups to create an interdisciplinary blueprint

which can be used to generate research that informs practice and which can be used to generate research that informs practice and moves all counterparts forward moves all counterparts forward

4.)4.) Establish UNT as the leader in the development of Establish UNT as the leader in the development of interdisciplinary research paradigms and practices and cross interdisciplinary research paradigms and practices and cross

sector collaboration that improves the lives of those with sector collaboration that improves the lives of those with autismautism

Autism Spectrum Disorders:Autism Spectrum Disorders: A non-discriminatory condition affecting every aspect A non-discriminatory condition affecting every aspect

of the human experienceof the human experience

Research on efficacy, fidelity, feasibility, and

validity of service technologies in schools, homes,

and clinics

Research on family systems and

supportsResearch on social policy, social justice and

preparation of professionals to serve society

Transformative Research Model:

Recursive and field-based

approach to understand communities of

knowledge and practice

Epistemology and the Epistemology and the UNT ASD Research ClusterUNT ASD Research Cluster

Ways of knowingWays of knowing• Paradigms, Languages, Values, Paradigms, Languages, Values,

Beliefs, Systems of Knowing Beliefs, Systems of Knowing • Methods, PopulationsMethods, Populations• Settings, GoalsSettings, Goals• Outcomes & ContingenciesOutcomes & Contingencies• Distinguishing Science from Distinguishing Science from

pseudosciencepseudoscience• Current expertiseCurrent expertise• Scientific (COE, PACS)Scientific (COE, PACS)• Philosophic (CAS)Philosophic (CAS)• Organizational (PACS/SLIS)Organizational (PACS/SLIS)• Media (CAS)Media (CAS)Needed expertiseNeeded expertise• Visiting scholarsVisiting scholars

Epistemology

Research on understanding

communities of knowledge and practice: how various

disciplines and sectors interact with one another

Community Services and UNT Community Services and UNT ResearchResearch

CurrentCurrent:: • Education (COE)Education (COE)• Technology (SLIS, COE)Technology (SLIS, COE)• Intervention (PACS)Intervention (PACS)

Services

Research on efficacy, fidelity, feasibility, and validity of services, treatments, and service technologies in schools, homes, and clinics

NeededNeeded::• Public Public

Health/Community Health/Community Behavior Analysis Behavior Analysis (PACS)(PACS)

• ““Medical Home” Expert Medical Home” Expert Applied Pediatric Applied Pediatric Researcher Researcher

New Initiatives: Child Study Center, Easter Seals, Behavior Analysis, Applied Anthropology, Educational Psychology

Society and UNT ResearchSociety and UNT Research

Current:Current:

• Social Justice (CAS)Social Justice (CAS)• Social Policy (COE)Social Policy (COE)• Professional training Professional training

interventionists (PACS)interventionists (PACS)• Professional training Professional training

educators (COE) Ph.D. & M.S. educators (COE) Ph.D. & M.S. Autism ConferenceAutism Conference

• Professional training in Professional training in information & technology information & technology (SLIS, COE)(SLIS, COE)

• Professional training Professional training counselors (COE)counselors (COE)

SocietyResearch on social policy, social justice, and the preparation of professionals to serve society

New Initiatives: •SPED DOE (COE) Ph.D./M ED. Grant•DBA -1 Autism Faculty line, and 1 Autism Research Scientist (PACS)•Stockholm (PACS) & Vietnam (COE) Professional Training Programs

Families and UNT ResearchFamilies and UNT Research

Current:Current:• Culture (PACS)Culture (PACS)• Counseling (COE)Counseling (COE)• In-home training and In-home training and

support (COE)support (COE)• Intervention (PACS)Intervention (PACS)

Needed:Needed:• Family Support (COE & SLIS)Family Support (COE & SLIS)

Systems ExpertSystems Expert Connections between Family, Connections between Family,

Services, and Society (Education Services, and Society (Education & Advocacy)& Advocacy)

Model for Family Support and Model for Family Support and Technology UseTechnology Use

Research on family systems and supports, counseling, knowledge of educational placements and the rights of individuals with disabilities, interventions, local and national support systems

Families

A Recursive and Field-based Approach to A Recursive and Field-based Approach to Understanding Synergistic CollaborationUnderstanding Synergistic Collaboration

ASD, a pervasive and controversial disorderASD, a pervasive and controversial disorder Collapse of divisionsCollapse of divisions Divided research contextsDivided research contexts Need for a new paradigmNeed for a new paradigm

• Create a field-based context for reciprocal Create a field-based context for reciprocal interactions between theory, research and practiceinteractions between theory, research and practice

• Study this process and create recursive methods Study this process and create recursive methods and guideposts for practitioners, researchers and and guideposts for practitioners, researchers and theorists dedicated to having their research theorists dedicated to having their research agendas influenced and informed by the wholeagendas influenced and informed by the whole

How will we do this?How will we do this?

Proposed Activities

• Convocation on Applied ASD Research, Journal of Interdisciplinary Action Research, Visiting Scholar Series,

Research Colloquia • Systems Researcher Hire, Expanded Research

Programs in Epistemology, Families, Services, & Society, Publications, Presentations, Grant Applications

• Mentorship at UG, G, and Post-doctoral levels

Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure ASD

CoordinatorDr. Robert Figueroa

Services Dr. Combes

EpistemologyDrs. Ala’i-Rosales

&Re Cruz

SocietyDrs. Callahan

& MethaFamilies

Dr. Ennis-Cole

Administrative Assistant

Post Doctoral Line

Post Doctoral Line

Post Doctoral Lines (2)

Post Doctoral Line

AssistantCoordinators

Budget Budget Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Faculty Lines and Researchers $555,000.00 $555,000.00 $555,000.00

Positions for Research and Operations $273,000.00 $273,000.00 $273,000.00

Supplies, Products, Equipment, & Travel $83,800.00 $47,500.00 $36,000.00

Totals by Year: $911,800.00 $875,500.00 $864,000.00

TOTAL $2,651,300.00

Contributions to UNT Strategic PlanContributions to UNT Strategic Plan

• Equity and access in the acquisition of Equity and access in the acquisition of knowledge, services, technology, and knowledge, services, technology, and resources needed to support individuals resources needed to support individuals with ASDwith ASD

• Harnessing the power of faculty and Harnessing the power of faculty and student ideas to develop systemic student ideas to develop systemic paradigms of support for the many paradigms of support for the many disciplines affected by ASDdisciplines affected by ASD

• Fostering global communication and Fostering global communication and national and international dialogue on national and international dialogue on educational and support paradigmseducational and support paradigms

Competing and Complementary ProgramsCompeting and Complementary Programs

• ComplementaryComplementary Southwestern Medical CenterSouthwestern Medical Center

• Missing context of study and practiceMissing context of study and practice• ConnectionsConnections

UNT Health Science Center (Public Health UNT Health Science Center (Public Health Program) Program)

• CompetingCompeting Centers for interdisciplinary studiesCenters for interdisciplinary studies

• (e.g. UW, UCSD, Yale, Stanford)(e.g. UW, UCSD, Yale, Stanford)• Collections of researchers, Focus on Co-locationCollections of researchers, Focus on Co-location• In other regions of the countryIn other regions of the country• Primarily Basic and Biomedical ResearchPrimarily Basic and Biomedical Research

UNT ASD ClusterUNT ASD ClusterExpected AccomplishmentsExpected Accomplishments

UNT “International Research Convocation on Interdisciplinary and UNT “International Research Convocation on Interdisciplinary and Cross Sector Research on Autism Services”Cross Sector Research on Autism Services”

UNT “Journal of Interdisciplinary Action Research”UNT “Journal of Interdisciplinary Action Research” UNT Grant Awards - (OAR, DOE, NIH, NSF) UNT Grant Awards - (OAR, DOE, NIH, NSF)

UNT integrated services in schools, clinics, homes and UNT integrated services in schools, clinics, homes and communities for persons with autism from infancy to adulthoodcommunities for persons with autism from infancy to adulthood

UNT training of entry and advanced level professionals skilled in UNT training of entry and advanced level professionals skilled in collaboration and research and trained in model service-learning collaboration and research and trained in model service-learning settingssettings

UNT national and international presentations and publicationsUNT national and international presentations and publications UNT distance education modules designed for interdisciplinary UNT distance education modules designed for interdisciplinary

scholarsscholars

Evaluator Question #12-1Evaluator Question #12-1

1212--1. What plans are there to allow you to 1. What plans are there to allow you to think, function, and conduct research in think, function, and conduct research in

new ways?new ways?a. Interdisciplinary convocations will foster communication anda. Interdisciplinary convocations will foster communication anddiscussion, and they will allow the ASD Cluster to think and discussion, and they will allow the ASD Cluster to think and operate globally and include all stakeholders in autism.operate globally and include all stakeholders in autism.

b. The visiting eminent scholar program will populate the ASD b. The visiting eminent scholar program will populate the ASD Cluster with new ideas and provide a forum to explore issues Cluster with new ideas and provide a forum to explore issues related to autism in novel ways.related to autism in novel ways.

c. The clusterc. The cluster’’s interdisciplinary focus will transform the field by s interdisciplinary focus will transform the field by filtering knowledge across different disciplines and domains (i.filtering knowledge across different disciplines and domains (i.e., e., Epistemology research is translated into useful practices and Epistemology research is translated into useful practices and services in the family and society sectors) and study the services in the family and society sectors) and study the processes involved.processes involved.


1212--2. Cluster Member Qualifications2. Cluster Member Qualifications

Expertise in Autism: more than 108.5 years of expertiseExpertise in Autism: more than 108.5 years of expertise

External Funding Generated: more than $8,000,000External Funding Generated: more than $8,000,000

Professional Publications: more than 200Professional Publications: more than 200

Professional Presentations: more than 736Professional Presentations: more than 736

Advisory Boards and Autism Memberships: more than 32Advisory Boards and Autism Memberships: more than 32


1212--3. How is the ASD Cluster a 3. How is the ASD Cluster a collaborative unit?collaborative unit?

All members of the ASD Cluster conduct research by asking All members of the ASD Cluster conduct research by asking important questions, studying these, and applying the findings timportant questions, studying these, and applying the findings to o add knowledge to their respective fields. add knowledge to their respective fields.

This basic unifying theme will allow the ASD Cluster to collaborThis basic unifying theme will allow the ASD Cluster to collaborate ate by conducting interdisciplinary research that examines what we by conducting interdisciplinary research that examines what we know about autism, how we know these things, the procedures know about autism, how we know these things, the procedures and methods we use to gather and validate this knowledge, and and methods we use to gather and validate this knowledge, and the cultural, social, and ethical implications for social systemthe cultural, social, and ethical implications for social systems, s, research communities, families, and service providers.research communities, families, and service providers.


1212--4. How will the group be organized to 4. How will the group be organized to function effectively and efficiently?function effectively and efficiently?

The ASD Cluster will have core faculty in four areas: The ASD Cluster will have core faculty in four areas: Epistemology, Services, Families, and Society. These individualsEpistemology, Services, Families, and Society. These individualswill work together to create research synergy with all cluster will work together to create research synergy with all cluster members members –– those whose interests fall within one of the four areas, those whose interests fall within one of the four areas, and those whose interests are in other areas. Members of the and those whose interests are in other areas. Members of the cluster will have the opportunity to work in multiple areas to cluster will have the opportunity to work in multiple areas to conduct research, discuss important ideas in autism, develop conduct research, discuss important ideas in autism, develop working models of their interactive processes, teach, and nurturworking models of their interactive processes, teach, and nurture e partnerships at the local, national, international levels and thpartnerships at the local, national, international levels and the e private sector. private sector.


1212--5. Are you proposing to do something 5. Are you proposing to do something new or continue to do the same things new or continue to do the same things

only more of them or doing them better? only more of them or doing them better? ExplainExplain

Both, exceptional research, education, and clinical practice is Both, exceptional research, education, and clinical practice is already occurring in the College of Education and The School of already occurring in the College of Education and The School of Public Affairs and Community Service, The School of Library and Public Affairs and Community Service, The School of Library and Information Science, and the College of Arts and Sciences. The Information Science, and the College of Arts and Sciences. The work in these colleges will continue; it is well received and work in these colleges will continue; it is well received and recognized at the national and international level. recognized at the national and international level.

We are proposing something new through the interdisciplinary We are proposing something new through the interdisciplinary study of autism. Through this effort, we plan to connect all study of autism. Through this effort, we plan to connect all stakeholders in autism, create a journal for interdisciplinary stakeholders in autism, create a journal for interdisciplinary scholarship, and study and document the processes we uncover scholarship, and study and document the processes we uncover which both aid and hinder interdisciplinary collaboration. Thesewhich both aid and hinder interdisciplinary collaboration. Theseefforts are new, and to our knowledge, no one is doing this. efforts are new, and to our knowledge, no one is doing this.


1212--6. What is your end goal? For what do 6. What is your end goal? For what do you want to be known?you want to be known?

End GoalEnd Goal: We want to improve the lives of those with autism by : We want to improve the lives of those with autism by initiating and facilitating open communication and sharing initiating and facilitating open communication and sharing research practices and policies with individuals in all the systresearch practices and policies with individuals in all the systems ems (families, society, researchers, and service providers) that imp(families, society, researchers, and service providers) that impact act individuals with autism. individuals with autism.

We want to be known for exceptional interdisciplinary research oWe want to be known for exceptional interdisciplinary research on n autism through our online information portal for families, our autism through our online information portal for families, our interdisciplinary research journal, our scholarship on autism, ainterdisciplinary research journal, our scholarship on autism, and nd our services to sectors of society (schools, and other service our services to sectors of society (schools, and other service providers). providers).


1212--7. What is the cluster7. What is the cluster’’s specific area of s specific area of expertise and how will that area be expertise and how will that area be

strengthened?strengthened?

The educational programs and clinical expertise of the cluster iThe educational programs and clinical expertise of the cluster is s its one specific area of expertise. Additionally, the scholarshiits one specific area of expertise. Additionally, the scholarship and p and knowledge represented by each cluster member is a definite knowledge represented by each cluster member is a definite strength strength –– all facets of the ASD model are represented by those all facets of the ASD model are represented by those involved in the cluster: epistemology, services, families, and involved in the cluster: epistemology, services, families, and society. These areas will be strengthened by:society. These areas will be strengthened by:

an interdisciplinary influence that informs practice, an interdisciplinary influence that informs practice, the inclusion of multiple perspectives, the inclusion of multiple perspectives, the opportunity to study and evaluate processes within systems, the opportunity to study and evaluate processes within systems, and the opportunity to regularly dialogue with members of the and the opportunity to regularly dialogue with members of the cluster to exchange information and collaborate in research.cluster to exchange information and collaborate in research.


1212--8. Which parts of the figure on page 1 8. Which parts of the figure on page 1 exist now and which are to be added ?exist now and which are to be added ?

All components in Figure 1 currently exist. All components in Figure 1 currently exist. The faculty lines, Medical and Systems Expert, and Visiting The faculty lines, Medical and Systems Expert, and Visiting Scholar Positions need to be added. These positions will allow oScholar Positions need to be added. These positions will allow our ur cluster to hold faculty convocations and an eminent visiting cluster to hold faculty convocations and an eminent visiting scholar lecture series which will inform our research themes andscholar lecture series which will inform our research themes andgive us additional expertise.give us additional expertise.


1212--9. What is being done elsewhere on 9. What is being done elsewhere on Autism Spectrum Disorders, and how is Autism Spectrum Disorders, and how is

this different or better?this different or better?

We are proposing something new through the interdisciplinary We are proposing something new through the interdisciplinary study of autism. Through this effort, we plan to connect all study of autism. Through this effort, we plan to connect all stakeholders in autism, create a journal for interdisciplinary stakeholders in autism, create a journal for interdisciplinary scholarship, and study and document the processes we uncover scholarship, and study and document the processes we uncover which both aid and hinder interdisciplinary collaboration. Thesewhich both aid and hinder interdisciplinary collaboration. Theseefforts are new, and to our knowledge, no one is doing this. efforts are new, and to our knowledge, no one is doing this.

Centers of excellence which focus on intervention and training iCenters of excellence which focus on intervention and training in n autism research are on both the east and west coast, but a centeautism research are on both the east and west coast, but a center r is absent in the south central portion of the U.S. UNT could is absent in the south central portion of the U.S. UNT could assume that role and improve it through interdisciplinary autismassume that role and improve it through interdisciplinary autismresearch.research.


1212--10. What aspects of Autism Spectrum 10. What aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders are your ignoring and why?Disorders are your ignoring and why?

We are ignoring the biomedical and genetic research in the area We are ignoring the biomedical and genetic research in the area of autism, because so many institutions are studying those areasof autism, because so many institutions are studying those areas. . The research in those areas focuses on the cause. This research The research in those areas focuses on the cause. This research could eventually result in a cure for this pervasive neurologicacould eventually result in a cure for this pervasive neurological l disorder. Those areas are noteworthy, but for more than 1.5 disorder. Those areas are noteworthy, but for more than 1.5 million individuals who have been diagnosed, the cause is million individuals who have been diagnosed, the cause is secondary, and the primary challenge is daily life with this secondary, and the primary challenge is daily life with this complex developmental disability. This proposal gives us the complex developmental disability. This proposal gives us the opportunity to tackle complex social problems in an opportunity to tackle complex social problems in an interdisciplinary manner and work toward helping those already interdisciplinary manner and work toward helping those already diagnosed with this neurological disorder. diagnosed with this neurological disorder.


1212--11. Why should we consider this a research cluster 11. Why should we consider this a research cluster rather than simply the beginnings of good scholarship rather than simply the beginnings of good scholarship

that should be encouraged by UNT? What will be that should be encouraged by UNT? What will be transformative here as opposed to incremental transformative here as opposed to incremental

enhancement of autismenhancement of autism--related research?related research?

This is a research cluster because it brings existing scholarshiThis is a research cluster because it brings existing scholarship of p of four colleges (COE, PACS, SLIS, A&S) together in a novel way to four colleges (COE, PACS, SLIS, A&S) together in a novel way to address issues and problems in the field of autism. Faculty withaddress issues and problems in the field of autism. Faculty withdivergent interests and expertise have divergent interests and expertise have ““joined forcesjoined forces”” and made a and made a commitment to work collaboratively to positively impact the livecommitment to work collaboratively to positively impact the lives of s of individuals with autism through interdisciplinary research, individuals with autism through interdisciplinary research, education, and clinical practice. Aspects of Adult Learning theoeducation, and clinical practice. Aspects of Adult Learning theory ry (the application of life experiences, relevant problem contexts,(the application of life experiences, relevant problem contexts,complex social issues) are present in this project, and they wilcomplex social issues) are present in this project, and they will l allow the cluster to transform thinking and practice as it relatallow the cluster to transform thinking and practice as it relates to es to autism. autism.


1212--12. Two senior hires are proposed for 12. Two senior hires are proposed for nationally known researchers. How will you nationally known researchers. How will you

go about doing so? Have you had go about doing so? Have you had experience doing this?experience doing this?

Yes, several criteria have been identified for hiring nationallyYes, several criteria have been identified for hiring nationallyknown researchers: known researchers:

Scholarship Scholarship –– refereed publications in respected journals and refereed publications in respected journals and Presentations at respected conferences Presentations at respected conferences

Influence in their respective fieldInfluence in their respective field

Impact their research has had on their field Impact their research has had on their field -- citationscitations

autism spectrum disorder research cluster proposal #12 discussion and elaboration may 19, 2008

Documents