Project ASPIRE

About Project ASPIRE

Project ASPIRE (Autism Specialists Pioneering Inclusive Research-based Education) integrates evidence-based education and service learning to prepare ASPIRE Scholars to become autism specialists in speech language pathology or special education. Project ASPIRE provides an opportunity to learn with scholars in special education and participate in an interprofessional training experience that will prepare them to work effectively in teams in early intervention and school settings. Project ASPIRE funded by a grant provided by the US Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

Being an ASPIRE Scholar

Classes/Curriculum 

Scholars will all complete 4 seminars focused on a) evidence based autism assessment and intervention, b) positive behavior supports, c) fundamentals of interprofessional practice, teaming and collaboration, and d) translating research to practice as a part of their specialization training. Scholars will participate in at least two clinical practica-an interdisciplinary autism assessment and an intervention clinic on campus. Finally, scholars will have opportunities to enact interprofessional skills through school-based internships.

Service Learning

All ASPIRE scholars will complete at least 40 hours of service learning in partnership with organizations that serve individuals with autism in the community and in providing transition supports to older students with autism and other high intensity needs in post-secondary educational settings. These include parent advocacy organizations, centers for assistive technology and community based inclusive programs. Current scholars have volunteered with organizations such as Cal State East Bay's College Link Program and Creativity Lab, Friends of Children with Special Needs, Parents Helping Parents, The Center for Accessible Technology, and others.

Scholarship

Scholars receive $12,000 stipend for participation and $1000 support for professional development. 

Service Obligations

Fulfill federally mandated service obligations upon grant completion. (Scholars must commit to spending at least 51% of their time performing work related to serving children with autism and their families for 2 years post program completion)

Trainee Activities

Year 1 (2020-2021)

Increasing awareness in first responders about autism: An inclusive, experiential approach. 

The events of the past year have brought renewed focus and attention to the challenges that many other minoritized and disadvantaged communities face in interactions with first responders and law enforcement. Currently, there are some commercial trainings available that focus on providing information about the signs of autism and strategies for communication with individuals with autism. However, these trainings were not developed in collaboration with individuals with autism and often lacked the lived experience of autistic individuals. The neurodiversity movement has sparked a plethora of studies utilizing participatory methodologies that include autistic individuals in the development, design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of research related to autism. The purpose of our research is to increase awareness among first responders and social service providers about autism using a participatory based approach. 

Grant scholars developed a survey about knowledge of autism among criminal justice majors to gather baseline data about knowledge of autism and the ways in which they would respond to individuals who communicated unconventionally in stressful situations. Scholars then, collaborated with autistic individuals to create an experiential training focused on understanding communication differences in autistic individuals and how to respond to them. Participating students completed post-training surveys. Results indicate that even a short one time training such as this can be extremely beneficial to increase awareness among future first responders and social service providers. 

https://www.csueastbay.edu/news-center/2021/05/interdisciplinary-solution-educating-future-law-enforcement.html

Paraeducators and Distance Learning

Project ASPIRE scholars participated in a literature search and research study examining the experiences of paraeducators (or Instructional Assistants) during the COVID-19 distance learning experience. Scholars conducted literature searches, participated in the development of the IRB, created the surveys, and developed the recruitment materials. 

Sexuality Education Research Project

Project ASPIRE scholars participated in a literature search and research study development focused on sexuality education for individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities. Scholars collaborated on conducting a literature search and review by locating previous studies on sexuality education and ASD and DD and contributing to the literature table leading to review of the literature. Scholars also collaborated on study tools such as survey development and focus group facilitation guides.

Contact/More Info

For more information, please contact the grant coordinator Haley Hayashi at haley.hayashi@csueastbay.edu or the Project Directors: Shubha Kashinath (shubha.kashinath@csueastbay.edu) or Meaghan McCollow (meaghan.mccollow@csueastbay.edu)

Staff