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