Calliope Holingue
AIR-P Scholar, Cohort 2 (2021-2022)
About
Project:
Recommendations for Improving Gastrointestinal Health among Autistic Adults: A Mixed-Methods Community-Based Participatory Study
Note: Project has since been renamed to GI: Wanna Talk About Autism
Institution: Kennedy Krieger Institute
Project Overview
Summary:
The "GI Wanna Talk About Autism" study focuses on understanding the gastrointestinal (GI) experiences of autistic adults and generating actionable recommendations to enhance GI health within this community.
Methods:
A participatory research approach was used, involving a Community Board that influenced the study's direction at every stage. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 27 participants, primarily autistic adults, and some parents of autistic adults, using Zoom for data collection.
Results:
Interview transcripts were analyzed to identify themes about lived experiences with GI symptoms. These findings led to a preliminary set of recommendations for improving GI health.
Conclusions:
Feedback from the Community Board and additional qualitative interviews, along with a broader electronic survey, will refine the recommendations. The findings will be shared through peer-reviewed publications and various educational materials, with the aim of informing larger-scale research grants.
Project Mentors and Contributors
Margaret Johnson, Liz Pellicano