ASPEN Intervention Program 

About Us

The ASD Screening and Parent ENgagement (ASPEN) Program is a parent-mediated intervention program, that is, parents are trained to be the primary interventionist for their child. ASPEN focuses on naturalistic, developmental, behavioral strategies. These are strategies that are easy to use in the child's natural environment and are aligned within developmental and behavioral milestones.

In the ASPEN Program...

The parent chooses goals that are important to them and their families


Training includes practice, observation, support, and problem solving


Information and strategies focus on daily routines, natural environment


The parent receives support from a professional and a peer


Principal Investigators

Sandra B. Vanegas, PhD

Dr. Sandra Vanegas is a Research Assistant Professor in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin.

Sandy Magana, PhD, MSW

Dr. Sandy Magaña is the Professor in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin.

Current Research Team

Stephany Brown, LMSW

Project Coordinator

Clinicians

Kiki Avilez

ACT LEND Fellow

Alexis Bacon-Yates

ACT LEND Fellow

Kayla Trites

ACT LEND Fellow

Eric Berger

Serline Coelho

Mariana Davila, LSSP

Daniella Garcia

Zalia Houben

Pari Khawaja

Felipe Valdez

Michelle Zhou

Research Team Alumni

Suzy Albarran

Ana-Paula Anaya

Jacqueline Borrero

Maria Fernandez

Jill Hoffman

Laura Hopp

Christopher Le

Cristal Martinez

Wajiha Masroor

Noah Meah

Angela Medrano

Carlos Pavon

Yuria Paez

Jennifer Davila Valdes