My name is Brittany Tran, and I am a Communication Sciences and Disorders major in the College of Education and Health Professions. I am conducting my research under the direction of Dr. Kimberly Frazier, Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program. Fall 2020 was my third semester of research, and as I approach my final semester of my undergraduate career, I plan to pursue a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

The research I am conducting is titled, Facilitating Transition: Moving Beyond High School as a Member of the Autism Spectrum Disorder. The purpose of this study is to investigate the transition process of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder from high school to post-graduation life from the perspective of the family as well as the perception of the transitioning youth. I, along with two other classmates, have performed surveys to explore ways speech-language pathologists can interact and collaborate with other professions to help students with disabilities in the transition process from high school to adult roles. The surveys were targeted towards the caregivers of the individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and the surveys were completed on a volunteer basis, with potential monetary compensation to increase participation rates. We have been able to spread the survey across various platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, which allowed us to receive data from various regions in the United States.

I chose this topic because I have always had an interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder, and I knew that the resources available for individuals affected by it were lacking in my own community. Because of this, I wanted to be able to see what I could do to make a change for those who needed it. This is what ultimately led me to my mentor. Dr. Frazier has had years of experience in research, and it was recommended that I reach out to her by one of my professors. After speaking to her, I found trust in her expertise in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

This research topic has taught me a lot. I have learned that the main thing that youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder struggle with is their interaction with peers, especially after high school. In addition, parents of these individuals have stated that they would like to see more services provided as youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder enter into their adult roles. A major setback that occurred during the duration of this study was the COVID-19 pandemic. I had been planning to conduct in-person interviews with caregivers of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, however this was no longer made possible. To adjust, the interviews had to be turned into surveys conducted online, but due to this, the number of responses received have not been high enough to draw accurate conclusions. In addition, this study has given me an insight into topics I should consider as I enter a career in speech-language pathology. Given that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder will be a part of my future caseload, I can use my knowledge and expertise to facilitate ways in which they can successfully enter their roles as adults as independently and confidently as possible.

Dr. Frazier has played an important role in ensuring that tasks are completed in a timely manner and providing feedback on how to overcome challenges, such as the one experienced due to COVID-19. She has also lended a helping hand in gathering participants for the survey and spreading the survey across various online platforms. She has been nothing but committed to reaching goals. Additionally, I am conducting this research with the help of two classmates, Anna Krizman and Cameron Sturgeon.

I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences in the Spring of 2021. After graduation, I plan on attending graduate school to attain a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.