RESEARCH CONVOCATION

The OAR Applied Research Convocation

The mission of the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is to fund applied (i.e., intervention) research, the purpose of which is improve the quality of life of learners with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families.  As part of the mission, OAR’s Board of Directors has established a biennial Autism Research Convocation the intent of which is to: 1) undertake a comprehensive review of the available research in support of particular topic, 2) present this review in an accessible manner to support the translation of relevant research into evidence-based practice, and 3) highlight gaps in our current body of knowledge and, subsequently, stimulate research targeted toward filling these gaps.  

Statement of Problem

The past decade has seen dramatic reports citing the increase in the prevalence of autism and related disorders.  From an earlier prevalence estimate of approximately 2-5 cases per 10,000 individuals (.2-.5 per 1,000) (DSM-IV, 1994); the figure most often cited today is approximately 2-6 cases per 1,000 individuals with the higher estimate resulting in the 1 case per 166 individuals often noted (CDC, 2004).  While the reasons behind this increase remain unclear (e.g., Gernsbacher, Dawson & Goldsmith, 2005) and at times, controversial (e.g., Kirby, 2005; Williams, Mellis, & Peat, 2005), what is generally accepted is that there are greater numbers of learners with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in general, and of older (adolescent) learners in particular, in need of appropriate, evidence-based interventions and services than ever before. 

The Process

The biennial Autism Research Convocation might best be thought of a process rather than a product.  The first Autism Research Convocation will be held on June 5 and 6, 2006 and will focus on the current state of research relevant to the needs of adolescent and adult learners with ASDs.  The 2nd Autism Research Convocation will then be held in May 2008 with subsequent meetings in 2010, 2012 and so on.  We anticipate a cycle of five research topics (e.g., adolescent and adulthood; social skill assessment and intervention; Asperger Syndrome/HFA; effective educational practices; and adaptive behavior/leisure & recreation) allowing for a comprehensive review of each topic every 10 years (with written reviews and updates of each topic at the 5 year mark).  In this way, the expected biennial Autism Research Convocations will be an ongoing process as depicted below

Convocation Participants

Participants in the Convocation will fall into one of two categories: 1) Researchers with expertise and interest in one or more subtopics, and 2) Research consumers including professionals who are engaged in the provision of direct services, family members and individuals on the spectrum.  The role of the invited researchers will be to provide an overview of current research on a particular subtopic while the role of the service providers, family members and individuals on the spectrum will be to offer insight and commentary from their particular point of view.

Expected Outcomes

Following the Convocation, each researcher will then be asked to submit a written overview of their presentation (the “state of the science”) including references and recommendations for future research, within 120 days.  All submitted chapters will undergo peer-review by a minimum of two members of the OAR Scientific Council and selected researchers and practitioners.  Subsequent to peer-review and approval of final edits, Convocation attendees who are research consumers will be asked to review selected drafts and offer a three to five page written commentary on the text from the point of view of the service provider, family member or person on the spectrum.  Completed chapters and their commentaries will then be collected for publication under the (draft) title of Evidence-Based Practice and Older Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders:  Current Status and Future Directions.  The Proceedings of the 2006 Autism Research Convocation.  As previously noted, this document will undergo a formal review and update five years after its publication and, at the 10 year mark, a follow-up Research Convocation will be convened to assess the current state of the science.  In brief, the 2006 Autism Research Convocation will result in the development and dissemination of: 

• A comprehensive review and summary of the current state of ASD-related research as it pertains to the needs of older learners and their families;
• Recommendations for the translation of identified, evidence-based practices to the applied setting (e.g., classroom, home, employment, community living, etc.); and
• Recommendations for future research which will then form the basis for a series of OAR Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for research needs identified as part of this process.