Art Therapy Study Eligibility Screening

Thank you for your interest in this research study! Before we move forward to the screening questions we need you to review the below information regarding HIPAA authorization.

This study is looking at how a psychoeducational art therapy group can help improve self-reported coping skills for managing symptoms related to Autism. We are inviting young adults with an Autism diagnosis to take part in this study.

Here's how the study works: You will be randomly assigned to one of three study groups. You could be assigned to an assessment only group which will require you to complete online assessments once a week for 6 weeks. You could be assigned to a psychoeducation only group which will require you to attend a 45-minute session in person once a week for 6 weeks which will focus on a different coping skill strategy. Or you could be assigned to the full art therapy intervention group where you will attend one 90-minute session in person that combines the psychoeducational component with an art therapy component once a week for 6 weeks. Each week, the full art therapy intervention group will focus on a different coping skill and use an art therapy activity to practice it.

Regardless of which group you are assigned to, you will be asked to fill out surveys before your assigned group starts, once a week after each session, and then again 1 month and 3 months after the last session. Once the study has concluded, if you were assigned to the assessment only group or psychoeducational group, you will be offered an opportunity to participate in the full intervention group at a later date.

By clicking on the next/continue button below you are giving us permission to ask you some general questions about your health and medical history to see if you are eligible for this study. By answering, you are also giving us permission to contact you and use this information to decide if you can join the study.

If you have any questions, please contact Stacey Hanley at shanley@pennstatehealth.psu.edu 

HIPAA Authorization to Use & Disclose Protected Health Information for Research Purposes
The Pennsylvania State University

Title of Project: Using Art Therapy to Teach Coping Skills to Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Principal Investigator: Andrea Layton
Address: 500 University Dr, Hershey, PA 17033
Telephone Numbers: 717-531-1115

As part of this screening, we are asking your permission to access existing information from your healthcare records. New health information will also be collected from surveys.

We will use name, email address, autism diagnosis, and safety concern's such as inpatient hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, or partial hospitalization within the past 3 months. Pennsylvania law may further limit how we use or share your medical information, including the release of medical records, HIV-related records, records of alcohol or substance use disorder, inpatient mental health records and mandatory outpatient mental health treatment records. If Pennsylvania law applies to your medical information, we will use and disclose your information in compliance with these more restrictive laws.

By agreeing, you authorize the Penn State research team to use and/or share your health information. The health information may be used by and/or shared with the following people and groups to conduct, monitor, and oversee the research: the Penn State Principal Investigator and Research Staff, the Office of Human Research Protections, the Penn State IRB, people or groups we hire to do work for us, accreditation and oversight bodies.

Your authorization will remain in effect until you revoke it. You may change your mind and revoke (take back) this authorization at any time and for any reason. However, any information previously disclosed under this authorization may not be retrieved and may no longer be protected by federal or state privacy laws. To revoke this consent and authorization, contact the Principal Investigator using the information found on the first page of this form. Revocation of, or refusal to sign, this consent and authorization will not impact the care you receive at Penn State that is not related to the research, however, you will be excluded from participation in this research study if you do not provide this consent and authorization. 

If you have questions regarding your rights as a research subject or concerns regarding your privacy, you may contact Penn State Human Research Protection Program at 814-865-1775. You may call this number to discuss any problems, concerns, or questions; get information or offer input.


VERBAL/IMPLIED AUTHORIZATION TO TAKE PART IN RESEARCH

I have read this authorization form and the research has been explained to me. I agree to provide my protected health information as described above. A copy of this authorization will be provided to me or I will print a copy for my records. By agreeing to participate in this research study, I have not given up any of the legal rights that I would have if I were to decline participation.

Click on the link below to download a copy of this form for your records.