Information on Study

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

Information on a study from the University of Alabama. FYI - Please share.

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.

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PRESS RELEASE:

RESEARCH SURVEY ABOUT SIBLINGS OF CHILDREN

WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

The University of Alabama Psychology Department is beginning a new study of siblings of children developmental disabilities, specifically autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and Down syndrome (DS). This project is being conducted as part of a graduate student dissertation. We are interested in families with children between the ages of 4 and 16 years of age.

This study examines strengths and weaknesses observed in children as they cope with having a sibling with special needs and will provide valuable information for future research and clinical interventions with families of children with developmental disabilities.

Information for this study will be collected in two stages. First a parent will complete a brief 15-minute interview by telephone. Next parents will be mailed a survey packet of questionnaires regarding their children and family, which will take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. The survey packet may be completed at the participant’s convenience and returned to the researchers in a stamped envelope at no cost to the participant. Following completion of the survey participants will receive a $5 gift certificate to a major bookstore. Each family that participates will also be entered into a drawing to receive one year’s membership to a local parent support group.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact O’Kelley, a graduate student supervised by Dr. Klinger, at (205) 348-9312 or by email at crump002@... for more information.

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Dear Parent:

The University of Alabama Psychology Department is beginning a new study of siblings of children developmental disabilities, specifically autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and Down syndrome (DS). This study is being conducted as the dissertation project of O’Kelley as part of Dr. Klinger’s ongoing research with children with developmental disabilities. We are interested in families with children between the ages of 4 and 16 years of age. This study examines strengths and weaknesses observed in children as they cope with having a sibling with special needs and will provide valuable information for future research and clinical interventions with families of children with developmental disabilities. For example, the results from this project may be applied to developing sibling and family support group interventions.

Participation involves completing a 15-minute telephone interview and then filling out a survey packet of questionnaires regarding your children and family, which will take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. The survey packet will be mailed to you and may be completed at your convenience. Once completed the survey packet should be returned to the researchers in a stamped envelope at no cost to you. As a thank you for your time, you will receive a $5 gift certificate to a major bookstore in your area and will be entered in a drawing at the conclusion of the study for one year’s membership to a local parent support group.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact O’Kelley, a graduate student supervised by Dr. Klinger, at (205) 348-9312 or by email at crump002@... for more information. If you would prefer us to call and tell you more about this study, or if you are not interested at this time but may wish to be contacted in the future about other studies, please note this on the form below and mail it directly to us.

Thank you for helping us with this very important research!

O’Kelley, M.A. G. Klinger, Ph.D.

Graduate Student Researcher Associate Professor of Psychology

Please mail to: O’Kelley, M.A.

Klinger, Ph.D.

Department of Psychology

The University of Alabama

Box 870348

Tuscaloosa, AL 35487

YES! Please call me with more information about the study about siblings of children with developmental disabilities. Below are my name and daytime and evening phone numbers where I may be contacted.

No, I am not interested at this time. However, I would like to be contacted regarding opportunities to participate in research studies in the future. I can be contacted at the phone number(s) listed below.

(Please print)

Parent’s name:

Daytime phone: Evening phone:

Thank You!