Browsing by Subject "Individuals with ASD"

Now showing 1 - 10 of 49
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    Analyzing Autism Spectrum Disorder Behaviors Through Evidence-Based Educational Models in School Support Settings
    (2022-05) Boligorla, Srinivasulu; Neal, Tiffany; Deodhar, Aditi; Swiezy, Naomi
    Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often presents with challenging behaviors that require structured, evidence-based educational strategies. This practicum focused on implementing and evaluating the HANDS in Autism® model across three collaborative school sites (Warsaw, Lakeview, and Gateway) to monitor and improve the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for managing problem behaviors among students with ASD. Data were collected using REDCap, cleaned and analyzed in R and Excel, and visualized to compare the proportion of students exhibiting problem behaviors across schools and visits. Results suggested variation in behavioral trends across school sites, with Warsaw showing higher proportions of students demonstrating problem behaviors during observed visits. The findings support the value of systematic monitoring and data-driven implementation of EBPs in improving behavioral outcomes and reducing the use of exclusionary discipline in autism support classrooms.
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    Analyzing Behavioral Patterns in Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Settings for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
    (2023) Bodempudi, Sai Tejaswi; Neal, Tiffany; Deodhar, Aditi; Swiezy, Naomi
    This project focused on analyzing behavioral patterns in patients at the Indiana NeuroDiagnostic Institute (NDI) over a three-year period (2021–2023). Using data from Cerner and REDCap, the study examined the frequency and types of physical and verbal aggression among 100 patients. The analysis identified “Other/Unspecified” as the most commonly reported category for both physical and verbal aggression, suggesting the need for improved classification methods. “Hitting,” “kicking,” “verbal threats,” and “screaming” were also frequent behaviors. Year-to-year variation in certain behaviors, such as an increase in “punching” in 2023, points to changing trends in patient aggression. Recommendations include refining behavior categorization, improving data extraction from Cerner, and developing more targeted intervention strategies to support patient care and staff safety. The project also emphasized the value of ethical research practices, collaborative teamwork, and data accuracy through recurring tasks such as scoring, entry, and validation.
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    Analyzing Participant Feedback on various training components to enhance future HANDS Intensive trainings (2006-2025)
    (2025-05-09) Maddipatla, Vignitha; Neal, Tiffany; Gottipati, Mounika; Swiezy, Naomi
    This project analyzed nearly two decades of participant feedback from HANDS in Autism® Intensive Trainings conducted between 2006 and 2025. The goal was to identify satisfaction trends and improvement opportunities in training logistics, content, communication, and participant engagement. Using REDCap datasets, the data was cleaned, standardized, and analyzed using Python, Power BI, and Excel. Results revealed consistently high satisfaction scores (averaging 4.8/5), with increased engagement over the course of each training week. Top-rated components included speaker knowledge and small group activities, while lecture engagement showed room for improvement. The project demonstrated the value of health informatics in translating large-scale feedback into actionable insights and highlighted the importance of data-driven strategies to enhance the delivery of autism-focused professional training programs.
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    Analyzing Team Engagement and Participation Patterns Through Dashboard-Driven Behavioral Profiling in Autism Support Settings
    (2025-05-09) Aluru, Sai Srilekha; Neal, Tiffany; Devarapalli, Baby Amulya; Swiezy, Naomi
    This project involved developing interactive data visualizations and analyzing team participation metrics in autism support classrooms as part of an internship at HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center. The work focused on REDCap data entry, survey tracking, and Power BI dashboard development for the Team Participation and Observation Profile (TPOP). These dashboards enabled site-specific filtering and scoring analysis across key behavioral dimensions such as engagement, participation, and cultural competence. Findings revealed strengths in staff engagement and roles clarity, with areas of improvement noted in cultural responsiveness and inclusive practices. This project enhanced technical fluency in Power BI, strengthened skills in structured data collection and analysis, and supported data-informed planning for school teams. The intern’s contributions directly advanced the organization’s goal of using behavioral insights to improve team performance and educational outcomes for students with ASD.
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    Assessing Behavioral Outcomes in Youth with Autism Following Evidence-Based Interventions
    (2022-12) Navudu, Sai Pooja; Neal, Tiffany; Deodhar, Aditi; Swiezy, Naomi
    This practicum, completed at HANDS in Autism® in collaboration with the Indiana NeuroDiagnostic Institute (NDI), focused on evaluating the behavioral outcomes of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) receiving psychiatric services. The project involved systematic data collection from the Cerner patient portal, followed by data harmonization in Microsoft Excel and coding using REDCap. Psychiatric and behavioral factors were coded to identify patterns and changes in behavior across treatment episodes. The goal was to assess the effectiveness of autism-related services and interventions provided within the inpatient setting. Results from this exploratory analysis will inform potential modifications to HANDS training modules and curricula to better align with client needs and improve long-term care outcomes for individuals with ASD. The practicum also provided practical training in data analysis, coding, and interpretation of real-world clinical data.
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    Assessing Behavioral Trends and Survey Outcomes to Support Autism Intervention Across School Sites
    (2025-05-09) Fatima, Fnu Sahrash; Neal, Tiffany; Devarapalli, Baby Amulya; Swiezy, Naomi
    This project focused on analyzing behavioral and clinical data from autism support classrooms as part of a Spring 2025 internship at the HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center. The work involved REDCap data entry, Classwide Data Rating (C-WDR) review, survey distribution, and AESIIS structured interview training. Using tools like Excel, Python, and Power BI, visual dashboards were created to illustrate behavior trends across multiple site visits. The data revealed improvements in student behavior over time, though staff engagement declined by the third visit. This project provided hands-on experience in research protocols, structured data collection, and interdisciplinary teamwork. It strengthened technical skills, deepened understanding of autism intervention strategies, and reinforced the intern’s commitment to using data-driven methods to enhance educational and healthcare outcomes for individuals with ASD.
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    Assessing Caregiver and Provider Knowledge Gaps in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the Autism Knowledge Survey
    (2023-04-24) Simhadri, Suguna; Neal, Tiffany; Swiezy, Naomi
    Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often misunderstood, leading to delays in diagnosis, intervention, and support. The Autism Knowledge Survey (AKS) was developed to identify knowledge gaps and barriers to shared understanding among caregivers, educators, and providers. During this practicum at HANDS in Autism®, the student focused on reviewing and preparing data from the second iteration of the AKS (AKS2), integrating it with AKS1 to support manuscript development and future journal submission. Tasks included manuscript review, dataset refinement, and statistical analysis using REDCap, R, and Microsoft Excel. Results from AKS2 will inform targeted ASD education efforts and improve stakeholder understanding of core diagnostic and intervention principles. The practicum reinforced the importance of data-informed dissemination in reducing stigma and guiding community-based training and outreach for ASD.
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    Assessing Clinical Global Impressions Severity Scores in Adults with Autism Across Counties: A Coordinated Care Study from Preadmission to Post-Discharge
    (2023-08-04) Enugu, Hari Priya Reddy; Neal, Tiffany; Deodhar, Aditi; Swiezy, Naomi
    This practicum, conducted at HANDS in Autism® in collaboration with the Indiana NeuroDiagnostic Institute (NDI), aimed to examine changes in behavioral severity among adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Severity Scale. Data were collected from REDCap across multiple stages of care, including preadmission, 7-day, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, and 12-month post-discharge intervals. Severity scores were categorized by county and visualized using Excel, Python, and Tableau to assess behavioral change trends. Results showed a clear reduction in severity from preadmission (primarily scores of 6–7) to post-discharge (with most scores at 5 or below), suggesting improved outcomes following inpatient intervention. This analysis supports the value of longitudinal tracking using standardized tools like CGI to inform treatment planning and promote recovery monitoring in adults with ASD.
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    Assessing Outcomes of Evidence-Based Practices Through Violence Risk Assessment and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Analysis in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
    (2023-04-28) Darsanapu, Archana; Neal, Tiffany; Deodhar, Aditi; Swiezy, Naomi
    This practicum at HANDS in Autism®, in collaboration with the Indiana NeuroDiagnostic Institute (NDI), aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based coordinated care approach for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) receiving inpatient psychiatric services. The study compared pre-admission data collected via Cerner and post-discharge data collected through REDCap for 42 individuals. Using the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale and Violence Risk Assessment (VRA), the project measured behavioral outcomes following treatment. Data were coded, analyzed using Python and Excel, and visualized to assess changes in severity and improvement scores. Results showed that 31 of 42 patients demonstrated measurable improvement. The findings support the use of integrated data systems and standardized behavioral tools to monitor treatment impact and reduce risks associated with behavioral health crises. This project contributes to ongoing evaluation of treatment interventions and development of comprehensive, individualized care plans for youth with ASD.
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    Assessing Partnerships Fostered Through Community Engagement Initiatives​​
    (2025-05-09) Ramula, Yugala; Neal, Tiffany; Ogunmola, Botiwuoluwa; Smith, Julie Burk; Swiezy, Naomi
    This project focused on evaluating participant satisfaction with HANDS in Autism® community engagement initiatives, particularly the “Let’s Talk LCC” events conducted between August 2024 and April 2025. These events, grounded in four core pillars—collaboration, information sharing, training, and dissemination—were assessed using survey data extracted from REDCap. After data cleaning and standardization, descriptive statistical analysis and Power BI visualizations were used to identify trends in participant satisfaction across various months, topics, and event types. Findings showed consistently higher satisfaction with interactive sessions and underscored the critical role of informatics in enhancing engagement strategies. This project strengthened skills in health data analysis, visualization, and cross-functional communication, while supporting data-driven recommendations for improving autism-focused community programs.