Doctoral+Autism+Dissertation

Information provided by Cathy Roccia-Meier crocmei11@gmail.com

To whom it may concern,

I am completing my doctoral dissertation entitled "The Quality of the Sibling Relationship of Children Diagnosed with Autism" at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), under the supervision of Beverly White, PsyD. This study will provide a unique opportunity for children and adolescents (ages 12-18 years) to share his/her feelings about having a brother or sister with autism and the support he/she receives or needs from parents and other adults.

Specifically, I am seeking families that have a child with autism and a sibling without autism between the ages of 12-18 years old. If the family agrees to be in this study, the parent will be asked to complete a Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, 2nd edition and the Communication and Socialization subscales of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, 2nd edition. Subsequently, the child or adolescent (ages 12-18 years) will be asked to complete a packet of questionnaires including: a Demographics Questionnaire, Self-perception of Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (SRQ-Revised, 1990), and a Social Support Scale for Adolescents (SSSA, 1988). Both packets can be completed either through the mail or e-mail. Additional information about this study, including inclusion and exclusion criteria, can be obtained directly from me. If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to contact me or my advisor Dr. White, Assistant Professor, PCOM, Department of Clinical Psychology at 215-871-6497 or email: beverlywh@pcom.edu Sincerely,

Kelly C. O'Laughlin, MS, MA, MAMT-BC PCOM Doctoral Candidate 267-679-5820 kellyol@pcom.edu

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