Principal Investigator(s):
Julie Stone
Grant Type:
Graduate Research
Funding:
$1,968.90
Organization:
Northern Arizona University
Year Awarded:
2026
Status:
In Progress
Location:
Flagstaff, Arizona
Topics:
Early Intervention; Families
Abstract
Children with ASD often experience motor delays that can benefit from physical therapy to enhance their functional independence and participation in physical activities. However, PT service utilization remains lower in this group and is often influenced by factors such as minority status and rural residence. This project aims to promote equitable access to and understanding of physical therapy by highlighting family caregivers’ lived experiences. Through semi-structured interviews with family caregivers and thematic analysis, this project will explore how family caregivers navigate barriers, facilitators, and decision-making processes related to PT access and utilization. Findings will inform strategies to improve service coordination, clinician-family communication, and equitable access to PT services for individuals with ASD. By including family caregiver perspectives in clinical and policy recommendations, this project intends to reduce disparities and improve the quality of person-centered care for all children with ASD. Findings from this project will help shape future development of PT interventions, provider training, and advocacy efforts focused on family-centered PT care. This project is designed to connect equity, caregiver voices, and autism care to provide meaningful support for all individuals with ASD and their families. By amplifying the voices of family caregivers of children with ASD, this study seeks to advance academically rigorous, socially relevant knowledge to improve our community’s health and wellbeing. In doing so, this project embodies scholarship components dedicated to public good, bridging research and community impact to foster inclusive, evidence-based care that enhances the well-being of diverse families and communities.
