Assessing Outcomes of Evidence-Based Practices Through Violence Risk Assessment and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Analysis in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

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.