Research on Experiences of Students with Asperger's

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The site administrator Alex Plank has approved this posting.

Hi,
My name is Bianca Love and I am currently a senior in the sociology department at Princeton University and am in the process recruiting individuals for research that will be used in my senior thesis. My research focuses on individuals with Apserger’s syndrome who are 17 years of age or older and how they navigate the transition into adulthood, particulary into college. The research will be conducted in several ways: private interviews with individuals and families, focus groups consisting of 4-5 participants, and online interviews. All of the interviews will last approximately an hour depending on the length of responses given by participants. Participation in this research will allow you to contribute to the body of knowledge surrounding the issue of transitions, and I hope to use my research as a tool to make policy suggestions on how universities and school systems can better serve students with Asperger's as well as on topics which are not widely discussed. This study has been approved by the Princeton University Institutional Reveiw Board (IRB). Please contact me via e-mail for further information or if you would be willing to participate in the study. Thank you!

Contact information:
Email: Biancal@princeton.edu

I will gladly participate once confirmation from Alex or one of the mods comes that this is indeed approved (the easiest way would be for you to ask them to post in this thread), or on condition of anonymity.

Any interview would preferably be carried out via written means (e-mail, PM, online chat, etc) since my verbal communication skills are lower than my writing skills.

Will the participants receive monetary compensation for their time and effort?

Unfortunately, because I am an undergraduate I do not have the funding to offer any sort of compensation for those participating in the study. Additionally, I should add that no names will be associated with the responses given in the interviews. I have also submitted a request for Alex to post his approval on this thread.

Then I'm not interested. Good luck with your research.

do i have to have an official diagnosas to participate?

Yes, in order to participate you should have an official diagnosis.

but alot of aspies dont have an official diagnosas.....
well if you need more people, and ur willing to take people without an official diagnoses.......

I appreciate your enthusiasm to participate! I'll discuss this prospect with my thesis advisor and notify with what she recommends. Is there a particular reason for, in general, a lack of diagnosis?

Hello,

Can we have other ASDs and participate? I was diagnosed with PDD-NOS about 15 years ago, and identify strongly with AS

You'll find that a lot of people just plain don't bother getting a diagnosis (I did, but a lot don't). A diagnosis is the sort of thing that goes on your record and besides, doctors are expensive (a lot of members are Americans).

No doctor will ever know my body better than me. Some of the people here have low opinions of psychiatrists and psychologists. And some don't.

I'd participate if I knew what the questions would be like. I'm leery of agreeing to anything beforehand.

Do you mind e-mailing me so that I can send you a copy of the questions?

well a few weeks ago after i found out that I had AS, I started a thread called "Is there anything to gain from getting diagnosed with AS...?" (i cant find a link to the thread right now but I'm sure it's out there) and basically the only reason people said was that I wouldn't have to constantly wonder if i have it. But since I am 100% sure I have it.... and people also said that its actually better not to get diagnosed because of insurance reasons like i wont be able to get insurance and stuff.... so the only reason i would ever want a diagnoses is so that i could go to support groups, but i dont think that they wont let me in if I'm not officially diagnosed.
So in conclusion: Getting Diagnosed, Pro's: none Cons: alot of stuff, so theres your answer...

Just out of curiousity, is it possible for students to participate from a distance (and without involving family members)?

Yes, you can participate through an online interview and your family does not have to be involved.

Hello Bianca,

I am quite certain that I have Asperger's but am not formally diagnosed. I am looking into it, however. An issue with getting diagnosed is having the money to pay for an evaluation if one's insurance does not cover it.

I am 33 years old, female, and have had several academic endeavors, most of which were completed. I live on my own and work full time.

By the way, I have a degree in psychology and have taken courses on social science research so I am familiar with what you are doing. In fact, I am strongly considering doing graduate work in psychology, specializing in Asperger's Syndrome. I would like to participate in your study if no diagnosis is required to do so.

PM me if you would like further information about me.

Regards,
Catwoman aka Melody