HANDS in Autism
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HANDS in Autism has emerged as a state-wide training and resource center making a significant impact in the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other special needs as well as their families and caregivers. The evidence-based behavioral and educational practices at the core of the HANDS curriculum have had noted feasibility and practicality to providers and other stakeholders across settings (educational, medical/clinical, home/community). In addition, though the focus and expertise of HANDS is well recognized in ASD and related disabilities, consumers also appreciate that the same behavioral and educational principles and practices are relevant and useful to a wide range of individuals across functioning levels and the lifespan.
The mission of HANDS in Autism is to provide unique learning opportunities designed to improve understanding of the process and ability of working with individuals with ASD and a range of other developmental and behavioral challenges through hands-on and coaching experiences and building bridges of information, resources and collaboration across family, educational, medical and community systems.
For more information, please visit https://handsinautism.iupui.edu.
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Item Exploring participants sources, preferences, and needs for HANDS Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO tele-mentoring program(2024-05) Eswar, Kamisetti; Neal, Tiffany; Gottipati, Mounika; Swiezy, NaomiThis research aimed to understand HANDS ECHO participants preferred modes of training, and the areas they desire more information about. The study involved analyzing the various roles of participants, their preferred sources for obtaining training, and the specific content areas they wish to learn more about. Key findings indicated that participants preferred obtaining training from the internet, disability support services, and professional literature. Preferred training modes and desired content areas included understanding laws and policies related to Developmental Disabilities (DD), supporting effective transitions, and effectively advocating for individuals with DD. The study highlighted the importance of proactive communication in a multidisciplinary team and suggested that further research with larger data sets is needed to implement effective training strategies.Item Assessing Behavioral Outcomes in Youth with Autism Following Evidence-Based Interventions(2022-12) Navudu, Sai Pooja; Neal, Tiffany; Deodhar, Aditi; Swiezy, NaomiThis 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.Item Evaluating Overall Functioning Across Adaptive Domains in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Implementation and Application of the Developmental Disabilities Modification of the Children's Global Assessment Scale (DD-CGAS)(2023-08-04) Devarapalli, Baby Amulya; Neal, Tiffany; Deodhar, Aditi; Swiezy, NaomiThis practicum, completed at HANDS in Autism® in collaboration with the Indiana NeuroDiagnostic Institute (NDI), focused on evaluating overall functioning in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using the Developmental Disabilities Modification of the Children's Global Assessment Scale (DD-CGAS). The study analyzed data from 58 patients across the pre-admission and post-discharge phases, with ratings assigned in key adaptive domains: Self-Care, Communication, Social Behavior, and School/Academic Functioning. Additional measures included Eating, Sleeping, and Dressing abilities. Data were extracted from the Cerner electronic health record system, cleaned and coded using REDCap, and analyzed using Python, Excel, and Power BI. By comparing DD-CGAS scores across age and gender groups, the project assessed the impact of integrated, patient-centered inpatient care on behavioral functioning. Findings support the utility of structured, quantitative behavioral assessments in improving treatment planning and measuring intervention outcomes in ASD-focused psychiatric settings.Item Program Evaluation and Strategic Impact Review in Autism and Developmental Disability Services(2022-12) Chandra, Adithya Srimannarayana; Neal, Tiffany; Swiezy, NaomiThis practicum, conducted at HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center, focused on reviewing and evaluating internal program data to assess the impact of outreach, training, and research initiatives supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The project involved organizing and analyzing data from REDCap and generating visual summaries using Excel and Tableau. The goal was to identify and update the most meaningful indicators for program reporting and strategic decision-making. This data-driven evaluation aligned with principles from implementation science, offering insights into the reach and efficacy of HANDS' ongoing efforts. Key deliverables included improved data organization systems, summary dashboards, and reporting recommendations to support long-term tracking of program outcomes.Item Comparative Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder Service Outcomes Before and After Inpatient Care(2022-12) Yalamanchi, Sriha; Neal, Tiffany; Swiezy, NaomiThis practicum, conducted at HANDS in Autism® in collaboration with the Indiana NeuroDiagnostic Institute (NDI), aimed to evaluate changes in service delivery and patient outcomes for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) receiving inpatient psychiatric care. Data were retrieved from the Cerner electronic health record system, coded using REDCap, and analyzed to compare behavioral and clinical outcomes across four assessment points. Narrative analysis and quantitative coding were used to identify patterns, assess program effectiveness, and inform future implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs). The project also emphasized data harmonization and variable identification to guide systemic improvements. The findings will support the development of a structured HANDS model training curriculum and inform future post-discharge planning and cross-system collaboration strategies to reduce readmissions and improve long-term outcomes.Item Enhancing Autism Spectrum Disorder Support: Strategic Data Analysis and Program Evaluation for Community and Global Outreach.(2023) Dodda, Ashwini; Neal, Tiffany; Gottipati, Mounika; Swiezy, NaomiThis project focused on synthesizing and analyzing data from multiple autism-focused programs—such as ECHO, IPP, IIACC, NDI, and Trikappa—delivered through HANDS in Autism® to generate an annual report with actionable recommendations. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected, cleaned, and evaluated using statistical tools and visualization platforms including REDCap, Excel, and project management software. The analysis aimed to assess the performance and reach of autism-related services, identify trends across geographic locations (e.g., U.S. and Singapore), and guide strategic improvements in stakeholder communication and program design. The final deliverables included a data-driven report, a stakeholder presentation, and a collaborative feedback brief. This work highlights the value of integrated informatics, visual analytics, and cross-cultural communication in strengthening autism service delivery on both local and global levels.Item Assessing Caregiver and Provider Knowledge Gaps in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the Autism Knowledge Survey(2023-04-24) Simhadri, Suguna; Neal, Tiffany; Swiezy, NaomiAutism 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.Item Analyzing Autism Spectrum Disorder Behaviors Through Evidence-Based Educational Models in School Support Settings(2022-05) Boligorla, Srinivasulu; Neal, Tiffany; Deodhar, Aditi; Swiezy, NaomiAutism 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.Item Psychometric Validation of Autism Knowledge Surveys to Identify Training Gaps in Autism Care(2023-08-04) Somasundaram, Manasi; Neal, Tiffany; Swiezy, NaomiThis practicum, conducted at HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center, focused on validating the Autism Knowledge Survey (AKS) through psychometric analysis. The AKS is designed to assess disparities in autism-related knowledge across diverse stakeholder groups, identify barriers to mutual understanding, and inform the development of targeted training interventions. The student’s responsibilities included reviewing the AKS manuscript, exploring AKS2 datasets, and performing statistical validation procedures using REDCap, R Studio, Excel, and EndNote. Through integration of psychometric data and evaluation of survey reliability, this project advanced the validation process for AKS2 and provided insights into how such instruments can support evidence-based practices in ASD care. Practicum outcomes included improved skills in statistical reasoning, data management, research writing, and project coordination—highlighting the critical role of data-informed approaches in enhancing autism education and healthcare outcomes.Item Impact Analysis and Program Reporting for Community-Based Autism Support Services(2023-08-04) Bomma, Durga; Neal, Tiffany; Swiezy, NaomiThis practicum, completed at HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center, focused on program evaluation and impact reporting in collaboration with Tri Kappa, Inc. The project involved data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization to evaluate the distribution and outcomes of sensory kits, visual supports, and Next Steps™ workshops designed to assist individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Using Excel for analysis and Tableau for visualization, the student produced a comprehensive report to support donor communication and stakeholder engagement. Key findings included a significant increase in kit distribution between 2021 and 2022 and consistently high satisfaction ratings (4.5/5) from workshop attendees. The practicum contributed to improved communication strategies, informed funding proposals, and demonstrated the practical value of data-driven program evaluation in supporting ASD-related services.