Research
Generally speaking, Peach encourages those researching the methods and outcomes of behavioural intervention in the UK in the belief that, if done well, it will lead to better educational programmes for children with autism and an improved quality of life for families.
This section covers:
Will my child be involved in any research?
There is growing interest in researching the methods and outcomes of behavioural intervention in the UK. Researchers may wish to find out how well your child is progressing and/or how the programme affects other family members and/or about tutors who help your child. Universities, Educational Authorities, psychologists, doctors and autism charities might be involved in doing this research.
Generally speaking, Peach encourages such research in the belief that, if done well, it will lead to better educational programmes for children with autism and an improved quality of life for families.
However there are a few points members should be aware of:
- Researchers must invite (not pressurise) parents to give written fully-informed consent to any research that involves them or their children. That means that researchers must explain the purposes and methods of the research in a way you can understand and agree to it.
- Parents should ask any professional involved with their children whether they are doing any research and whether it includes the child or family.
- A Research Ethics Committee should have approved any research before families are contacted - ask professionals involved in research to assure you that this has been done.
- If you do not want your child or family to be included in a particular research project, you should be able to say "no" without that affecting any services you receive from the researcher who asked or the organisation for which they work.
- If you agree to take part in a research project, you should be able to withdraw at any time in the future without question.
- Researchers must assure parents that any information obtained during research is confidential and that neither a child nor the family will be identifiable in any reports.
- Families should be provided with copies of any information gathered about them or their children in the course of the research, and you should be offered a copy of any reports written about the research.
Sometimes Peach is asked to approve a research project. If the Trustees of Peach view a research project as particularly worthwhile, members will be told about this in SPEACH our bi-monthly Newsletter. If you have any worries about a research project that you have been invited to join in, ask Peach.
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