Project COPE (Coping Options for Parent Empowerment)

Coping Options for Parent Empowerment

The purpose of this research study is to collect information to better understand caregiver responses to COVID-19 stress and to help caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) cope with these stressors.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Must be willing to consent to participate via RedCap
2. Indicate a mild or greater elevation on screening measures of anxiety and/or depression
3. Not meet any exclusion criteria.
4. Lives in Florida
5. Has a child between the ages of 4-13 years who has been diagnosed with ASD
6. Speaks either English or Spanish primarily
7. Has technical capacity to participate in Zoom sessions on a mobile device or preferably a computer

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, an intellectual disability, psychosis, alcohol use disorder, substance use disorder) or hospitalization for mental health concerns or suicide attempt. Parents may receive concurrent psychiatric or psychological intervention services but may be excluded if the severity of current mental illness is such that outpatient, weekly group treatment would be considered inappropriate.
2. Parents who report any prior arrest for child endangerment, child abuse or child neglect may also be excluded.
3. Parents who have Moderate or greater risk of suicidal ideation.