2015 TASH Conference

AASPIRE used a community based participatory research (CBPR) approach to conduct a series of studies addressing the fact that the adult healthcare system is ill equipped to meet the needs of autistic adults. In this breakout, we present the results from our healthcare survey, interviews, provider needs assessment, and healthcare toolkit development and evaluation studies. We then present the AASPIRE Healthcare Toolkit, an online and printable resource for autistic adults and healthcare providers. AASPIRE is one of the first groups to equitably include autistic adults as co-researchers, as well as being on the forefront of innovative methods to facilitate self-report. OBJECTIVES: As a result of this presentation participants will be able to a) understand the key findings from AASPIRE's series of healthcare studies; b) identify ways those findings might be useful to them in their personal life, advocacy agenda, clinical practice, or research practice; c) identify several key strategies for including autistic adults in research as both co-researchers and as study participants; d) access and use the AASPIRE Healthcare toolkit. The Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research an Education (AASPIRE) has been a leader in inclusive research with the Autistic community since 2006. Over the past decade, we have used a community based participatory research (CBPR) approach to conduct a series of studies addressing the fact that the adult healthcare system is currently ill equipped to meet the needs of autistic adults. Our most recent study developed and evaluated tools to facilitate the primary healthcare of autistic adults. In this breakout presentation, we present the results from our healthcare survey, qualitative healthcare interviews, healthcare provider needs assessment survey, and mixed-methods healthcare toolkit development and evaluation studies. We then present the AASPIRE Healthcare Toolkit, an online and printable resource, and give a walk-through of the resources for both autistic adults and healthcare providers. Throughout we will highlight ways in which a CBPR approach facilitates inclusive research. IMPORTANCE: The adult healthcare system is currently ill equipped to meet the needs of autistic adults. Our research both helps identify ways to better meet those needs, and offers concrete tools and resources for meeting them via an online and printable healthcare toolkit. TRANSLATING TOPIC INTO NEW OUTCOMES:Our findings on healthcare disparities, barriers to healthcare, and strategies for improving care could be useful to healthcare providers and self-advocates in clinical and advocacy settings. The AASPIRE Healthcare Toolkit could decrease barriers to healthcare and improve patient-provider communication. Inclusive research practices could improve research integrity and the community relevance of research.