INFORMATION STATEMENT

The Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Kansas supports the practice of protection for human subjects participating in research. The following information is provided for you to decide whether you wish to participate in the present study. You should be aware that even if you agree to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time without penalty.

This study aims to better understand autistic camouflaging. Camouflaging is a behavior attempting to hide autistic traits in social situations. Specifically, this study will examine potential group differences based on participants’ current age, age of diagnosis, gender identity, race/ethnicity, and level of self-reported autism symptoms. The impact of camouflaging on autistic individuals’ social relationships and well-being will also be examined.

Study participation includes your completion of an online survey. Participants must be 18 or older and be able to read English. Participants must also have a diagnosis of autism, including self-diagnoses. Participation is expected to take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The survey should not cause any more discomfort than everyday life.

There are no benefits of participation. However, information gathered from this study might increase understanding and support for the autistic community. Your participation is strictly voluntary. Your name will not be associated in any way with the research findings. No identifiable information with be collected in connection to your survey responses. However, you will have the opportunity to complete a separate survey to submit your contact information if you are interested in participating in future research. All data will be saved in password protected files. Only the principal investigator, Alyssa Brewer, will have access to the data. However, internet communications may be visible to others via intent or accident. De-identified data may be used for future research.

If you would like additional information concerning this study before or after it is completed, please feel free to contact us by phone or mail.

Completion of the survey indicates your willingness to take part in this study and that you are at least 18 years old. If you have any additional questions about your rights as a research participant, you may call (785) 864-7429 or write the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), University of Kansas, 2385 Irving Hill Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7563, email irb@ku.edu.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Alyssa Brewer, B.S.
Principal Investigator
Graduate Student, School Psychology
Joseph R. Pearson Hall
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
alyssa.brewer@ku.edu

Matthew Reynolds, Ph.D.
Faculty Supervisor
Professor, School Psychology
Joseph R. Pearson Hall
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
mreynolds@ku.edu