The Sex Information & Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN), a not-for-profit organization that promotes sexual health in Canada, is running focus groups with autistic youth and youth with physical disabilities between 16 and 24 years old to better understand their dating and relationship experiences and also what sexual health information and services they need. What SIECCAN learns from these discussions will help them develop resources for service providers who work with autistic and/or disabled youth to improve sexual health promotion.

The focus groups for autistic youth are happening September 22 at 7pm ET (all Autistic youth) and September 23 at 7pm ET (Autistic youth who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color) online via Zoom. Participants will be given $75 as a thank you for their time and input.

Interested participants should email Wisdom2Action at [email protected].

The Cognisant Lab is dedicated to improving the autism diagnosis experience, aiming to assist both parents seeking a diagnosis for their child and adults seeking a diagnosis for themselves. Currently, numerous obstacles hinder these individuals. As part of this research, the Cognisant lab seeks to gain deeper insights into these barriers to an autism diagnosis in order to provide valuable information to families, adults, professionals, and policymakers.

Who can participate?
People who have obtained an autism diagnosis, faced challenges in obtaining one, or are currently navigating the process, the Cognisant Lab would greatly appreciate hearing about your experience.

Time and compensation:
This survey typically takes between 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the length of your responses. Upon completion, you will be entered into a draw for a $50 gift card of your choice.

If you are interested in participating, please contact: Dr. Nichole (Nikki) Scheerer at: [email protected]

Visit https://cognisantlab.ca/current-studies/ for more information about the Cognisant Lab.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia are interested in learning more about what neurodiversity-affirming care means to autistic adults.

Who are we looking for?

o Individual 19 years old or older who identify as autistic (including self-diagnosed) and neurodivergent.

o Who also have access to technology (i.e., computer, tablet, phone) and reliable internet connection to participate in the study, who live in British Columbia, Canada, and who speak fluent English.

What to expect: Completion of a short online survey and take part in an individual interview online (or you may elect to complete the interview in a written format) with approximately 1.5-hour time commitment.

For your time, you will receive a $35 gift card. Everyone who expresses an interest in the study and completes the screening questions will be entered into a draw for a $100 Visa gift card!

How do you sign up?
o Follow this Study Link to sign up: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bJVM9xQzCPQeJJs

o For more information about the study, email Juliane Dmyterko, the primary contact for the study ([email protected])

Study Contacts:
Principle Investigator: Laurie Ford, Ph.D.
Primary Contact: Juliane Dmyterko