1. Open Access: One investigator’s experience
Jennifer Harrison Elder, PhD, RN,FAAN
Professor and Associate Dean for Research
UF College of Nursing

2. My Background Been in autism field since 1981
“Autistic” vs. “artistic”
Problems
slow dissemination; 7 or more years
media’s inaccurate reporting of findings
Limited collaboration – “islands of research”
Difficult to assess innovation and significance

3. Research Program Trajectory
Development and testing of an intervention to promote language and social development in autism
Trained family members are the primary interveners
12 years of NIH funding

4. Open Access Helps Build Research Programs
Dissemination of findings is quick, facilitating feedback from those in the field
Avoids delays related to subsequent grant submissions
Helps us determine what direction to go next
Our research – families can access information, direct application of findings
Reminds us of our real reason for doing reserach – to help children and families.