Project AFECT (Autism Family Empowerment Coaching and Training Program)

Description

This is a prospective clinical effectiveness study of Project AFECT, an intervention combining parent coaching and family navigation. Parents who meet inclusion criteria will be invited to participate in this study at the time of their child’s autism diagnosis at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.

In addition to treatment as usual, participants in the intervention group will be connected with Project AFECT Coaches who will provide: Coaching to (1) assure parents understand diagnosis, (2) assist parents in finding accurate, current information about autism, (3) guide parents to free online autism training resources, (4) empower parents to evaluate child’s intervention plan holistically, and (5) provide emotional support to reduce stress; Navigation to (1) help family access autism treatments, and (2) connect to early intervention and educational services.