Behaviour Therapists' Current Practices and Perceived Barriers to Promoting Independence in Autistic Adolescents Receiving Applied Behaviour Analysis

Participant Information Sheet (PIS)

Study title: Behaviour Therapists' Current Practices and Perceived Barriers to Promoting Independence in Autistic Adolescents Receiving Applied Behaviour Analysis.

You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before deciding, it is essential to understand why the research is being conducted and what it entails. Please take time to read the following information carefully. Please ask the lead researcher if anything is unclear or if you require further information. The researcher’s details are included on this form, should you wish to ask any questions before taking part.

Thank you for reading this.

What is the purpose of the study?
The purpose of this research is to explore how behaviour therapists currently promote independence among autistic adolescents receiving Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) intervention and to identify any barriers they experience when supporting independence skills.

Although independence is recognised as an important goal for autistic adolescents, there is limited research exploring therapists' perspectives on how independence is promoted in everyday clinical practice. Findings from this study may contribute to improving future ABA practices, professional training, and intervention planning.

Why have I been chosen?
You have been invited because you meet the study's inclusion criteria.

Participants must:
• be at least 18 years of age.
• currently work as a Behaviour Therapist, Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT), Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA), or another professional delivering ABA interventions.
• currently provide ABA services to autistic adolescents aged approximately 12-18 years.
• be able to complete the questionnaire in English.

Do I have to take part?
No. Participation is completely voluntary. You are free to decide whether or not to take part in this study. You are currently viewing the Participant Information Sheet, which provides information about the study to help you decide whether you wish to participate. Please read the information carefully before deciding whether to take part. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to provide electronic informed consent before accessing the questionnaire.
You may stop participating at any time before submitting your questionnaire by closing your web browser, without providing a reason and without any disadvantage or negative consequences.

After submitting the questionnaire, QuestionPro will collect your IP address. This will be kept confidential and used only during the first 72 hours after questionnaire submission to identify and withdraw your data if you request withdrawal. If you wish to withdraw your data, you can contact the researcher within 72 hours of completing the questionnaire. After 72 hours, the IP address will no longer be used for withdrawal purposes, and your data will be anonymised.

What will happen if I decide to take part?
If you decide to participate, you will complete a confidential online questionnaire hosted on QuestionPro.
The questionnaire will take approximately 10 - 15 minutes to complete.
You will be asked questions about:
• your professional background.
• your experience supporting autistic adolescents receiving ABA.
• strategies used to promote independence.
• perceived barriers to promoting independence.
• confidence in supporting independence skills.

No personal or sensitive information that could identify you, your employer, colleagues, or clients will be requested.

What are the potential benefits and risks of taking part?
Although there are no direct benefits to you if you participate, taking part will provide a greater understanding of the behaviour therapists' current practices and perceived barriers to promoting independence among autistic adolescents receiving Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). There are no risks to you in taking part outside of those you would experience in everyday life. However, by taking part, you may remember things that you may find upsetting. If this occurs, the researcher will ask if you wish to continue participating in the interview. Any decision you make will be respected.

Will my taking part in the study be kept confidential?
Yes. Your participation in this study will be kept confidential. Your name, email address, employer and contact details will not be collected. QuestionPro will collect your IP address, which will be kept confidential and used only during the first 72 hours after questionnaire submission to identify and withdraw your data if you request withdrawal. After 72 hours, the IP address will no longer be used for withdrawal purposes, and your data will be anonymised. You will also be asked not to provide information that could identify yourself, your colleagues, organisation or any autistic individual. Findings will be reported in aggregate form so that individual participants cannot be identified.

Your responses will be stored securely and will only be accessible to the researcher and dissertation supervisor. Findings will be reported in aggregate form, so individual participants will not be identifiable in any reports or publications arising from the study.

What will happen at the end of the research study?
The data collected will be analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarise participant characteristics and questionnaire responses, while inferential statistical analyses will be conducted where appropriate to address the research question and hypothesis.

The findings from this study will be presented within a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Science (MSc) Psychology of Mental health and Wellbeing, at the University of Wolverhampton. The findings may also be presented at academic conferences or published in academic journals, although no individual participant will be identifiable in any dissemination of the results.

What if I have a problem or concern?
If you have any concerns, please contact the Dean of Research Culture and Postgraduate Research, Prof. Laura Caulfield, at [email protected], or the administrative lead and research integrity manager, Jill Morgan, at [email protected].

Who has reviewed the study?
This study has been reviewed and approved as ethically appropriate by Shreya Patankar and Dr. Victoria Blinkhorn.

Contact for further information
If you have any questions, you can contact the researcher by emailing [email protected]. You can also contact the lead researcher’s supervisor Dr. Victoria Blinkhorn by emailing [email protected].

Thank you for your interest in participating in this study.

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