Community Helper Autism Training (CHAT) Project

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Date Posted

Research Study Description

My name is Caroline Freden, and I am a third-year clinical psychology doctoral student at the Autism and Neurodevelopment Lab at Montclair State University. I am writing to let you know about a new research opportunity, the Community Helper Autism Training (CHAT) Project, for autistic individuals ages 14 and up living within the United States. The purpose of this project is to create an interactive autism training curriculum for “Community Helpers” (teachers, doctors, police officers, firefighters, etc.). No formal diagnosis is needed for participation.*

This project is for autistic adolescents and adults that wish to share their experiences interacting with a variety of Community Helpers. Participant input will be incorporated into a training curriculum whose ultimate goal is to increase Community Helpers’ learning about, understanding of, and acceptance of autism.

Here’s what participation involves, and when:

During December 2024-February 2025: A 60-minute Zoom call with the lead researcher, where you will answer some questionnaires about yourself one-on-one. If you are below the age of 18, your legal guardian must join the Zoom call. They will need to provide consent and answer some questionnaires, too. *Although a formal diagnosis is not required, eligibility to participate in this project is not guaranteed. Eligibility will be determined at the beginning of the Zoom call.

February-April 2025: A 90-minute Focus Group, where you will answer some questions and share your experiences in a group format. These Focus Groups will be audio and video recorded. Focus Groups will be offered both in-person and over Zoom.

Summer/Fall 2025: After the training curriculum is drafted, you will have the opportunity to provide edits and feedback if you would like to do so (this part is optional, though greatly appreciated!).

To thank you for your time, input, and energy, you will be provided with a $10.00 electronic “Giftogram” gift card for answering the questionnaires and a $50.00 electronic “Giftogram” gift card for participating in the Focus Group. Additionally, in-person Focus Group participants may be offered local travel reimbursement.

If you are 14 years or older, living within the United States, are autistic or suspect you are autistic, and are interested in sharing your experiences, please contact me at [email protected] or 973-327-7187, or the Autism and Neurodevelopment Lab at [email protected].

You can also enter your contact information at the link provided if you’d like for us to reach out to you, and we’ll be in touch soon!

Thank you for considering participation in this project. This project has been approved by the Montclair State University Institutional Review Board, MSU IRB #FY24-25-3888. This project is funded by the New Jersey Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism.

Name of Organization:
Autism and Neurodevelopment Lab at Montclair State University

For questions, please email::
[email protected]

Study Link: 
https://montclair.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0AkRVudBFhN3b70