Category Archives: Research Studies

Testing a new technology to help manage sound sensitivity

We are recruiting autistic youth (ager 12 years and up) and adults (19 years and older) who have specific issues with sound sensitivity to test new technology to help manage challenges with sounds

About the Study:
Participation in this study will be divided into three sessions:

Session 1: You will be asked to complete online questionnaires about your experiences with sound sensitivity.
Session 2: You will listen to certain sounds at different volumes through a set of headphones to determine your comfort level with these sounds. We will then use our new technology to help with sound sensitivity and ask you for your input.
Session 3: You will be asked to wear a virtual reality headset (VR) to become immersed in virtual environments that contain sounds, and you will be asked to rate your comfort levels with these sounds. Sessions 2 and 3 can be completed together or on separate days.

Each session will take approximately 1 – 1.5 hours We are offering $30/hour or portion thereof

Who Can Participate?
Autistic youth and adults with a diagnosis (ages 12+) who live in the Lower Mainland of B.C. and experience over-reactivity to sounds in general and/or certain types of sounds.

Discrimination, ableism and racism hurt but inclusion can heal: Listening to the intersectional lived experiences of youth with disabilities and co-creating solutions

We are currently recruiting youth/Service provider/Decision-maker participants for one of our research studies, “Discrimination, ableism and racism hurt but inclusion can heal: ‘Listening to the intersectional lived experiences of youth with disabilities and co-creating solutions’. This study focused on understanding the diverse lived experience of youth with disabilities and particularly how disability intersects with race, ethnicity and/or gender. We would like to learn about suggestions from youth, clinicians, educators, service providers and decision makers on how to address and minimize discrimination towards people with disabilities. Specifically, youth, who are aged 15-29 and has a disability and identifies as belonging to a racial, ethnic or gender minority group, are encouraged to participate.

The Pathways to an Autism Diagnosis Study

It is very difficult for both parents and autistic individuals to seek out a diagnosis in Canada. For this reason, the Cognisant Lab is conducting a study at Wilfrid Laurier University to try to better understand common obstacles that people face and to understand the pathway that is followed while trying to obtain an autism diagnosis in Canada. The study is looking for participants 18+ years in age who have obtained autism diagnosis as an adult or have attempted to obtain an autism diagnosis as an adult in Canada, or a parent of children who has obtained or has attempted to obtain an autism diagnosis for their child in Canada. If you are interested in participating, you will be asked to provide information through a secure online survey on when you first suspected you and/or your child may be autistic, the steps taken to obtain a diagnosis, resources that were helpful and unhelpful, and information about your and/or your child’s autistic traits. The survey will take about 15-45 minutes to complete and upon completion you will be entered into a draw for a $50 gift card.

For more information about the study or to volunteer for the study, please contact: [email protected]

Study on Adult Autism Diagnostic Assessment

The Anxiety Stress and Autism Program (ASAP Lab), directed by Dr. Connor Kerns, is currently recruiting autistic adults and clinical professionals for an upcoming study!

The goal of this study is to establish a consensus between both autistic adults and expert clinicians around ideal assessment practices for diagnosing autistic adults. Through this effort, we hope to contribute to the development of more collaborative, effective, and inclusive diagnostic practices for autistic adults.

Brief study details

We are seeking input from autistic individuals who have received an autism diagnosis in adulthood (18+) within the last 5 years.

We are also seeking input from clinical professionals who have a minimum of 5 years of experience diagnosing autism in adults.

Eligible participants will complete three online surveys spread over several months, with each survey taking approximately 45 minutes to one hour.

Participants will receive $20 CAD per survey completed via an Amazon Gift Card.

To learn more about the study and/or to complete a short study eligibility survey (3-5 minutes), please visit the link provided below, or scan the barcode in the study advertisement.

Eligibility screener for autistic adults:

https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bkY4GMhUqA7qsKy

Eligibility screener for clinical professionals:

https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_85Pqo4CQ1foxysK

Calling for Adolescent Perspectives on the PEERS Social Skills Program

PEERS is one of the few evidence-based social skills interventions for adolescents on the spectrum. However, neurodiversity advocates have been increasingly critical of the use of social skills programs for folks on the spectrum, due to the potentially negative social-emotional consequences of social camouflaging. Thus, this study aims to explore the social validity from the perspectives of adolescents on the spectrum.

Share this page:

Share this page:

Share this page:

Share this page:

Share this page: