Category Archives: Research Studies

Chronic pain experiences in autistic young people

Autistic children and young adults are at a higher risk of pain experiences, but very little is known about how autistic young people experience chronic pain (pain that lasts 3 or more months). With the input of autistic individuals, the research team hopes to better understand pain experiences in the context of autism and to identify priorities for treatment and further research.

The research team is looking to interview autistic young people (ages 13-25) with chronic pain experiences, who are living in BC. The team is also looking for parents of autistic young people with chronic pain, based in BC. Accommodations can be made for non-verbal and non-English speaking participants.

The participant will complete an online demographics questionnaire and a questionnaire relating to their pain experiences. The participant will then take part in an online interview with a researcher to discuss their or their child’s experiences living with chronic pain Participants will receive a $50 gift card for their time.

Throughout the process, the participant’s privacy, comfort, and safety is a priority; they may skip any questions they’d like or exit the study at any time. Participants can also complete the interview with their camera off, answer questions in the chat, complete the interview with a support person, or use any communication tool. Contact the research team at ASD&[email protected] or 604-875-2000 ext. 5445 , to learn more!

Measuring Flourishing Among Autistic Youth

A research team at York University is inviting autistic youth (13-25 years of age) to participate in an online survey that looks at experiences of positive well-being (i.e., flourishing) among young people. Their goal is to determine if a flourishing questionnaire that was made for non-autistic youth works for autistic young people, and if not, how it can be adapted to capture autistic experiences of flourishing.

Autistic youth can take part in this study if:

They are between 13 and 25 years of age.
Located in Canada and the United States.
Have a diagnosis of autism or self-identify as autistic.

What does participation involve?

Completing a 15-minute online survey about flourishing and autistic traits.
For those under 16 years of age, a parent or caregiver will be asked to provide consent for participation and complete the autistic traits questionnaire about the youth.
The survey can be completed alone or with a support person.

Here is the link to their study sign-up sheet! A member of their research team will then send participants the survey directly. https://yorku.questionpro.ca/t/AB3urAcZB3u32R

Bilingualism in neurodiverse children: Cognitive and social language skills

We are inviting families to participate in a research study titled Bilingualism in Neurodiverse Children: Cognitive and Social Language Skills. This study aims to compare monolingual (children who speak one language) and bilingual (children who speak two languages) autistic children with their non-autistic peers.

Our goal is to explore the similarities and differences in thinking and language skills across these groups and better understand how bilingualism affects children’s cognitive and language development.

Children aged 4 to 8 will engage in fun, child-friendly activities, such as describing pictures, repeating sentences and words, playing sorting games, and answering questions about images. Parents will complete questionnaires about their child’s communication skills and behaviors.

We are actively recruiting families across Canada, including Ontario regions, and are reaching out to Indigenous and diverse communities to ensure broad inclusion. The study is online and participating families will receive compensation for their time.

This study addresses misconceptions about bilingualism in Autistic children, aiming to demonstrate that acquiring a second language supports, rather than hinders, language development. We hope our findings will empower multilingual families with evidence-based guidance.

Exploring the Inclusion Experiences of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Secondary Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

What is it?

Looking for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students who are on the Autism Spectrum (aged 16-25), and their caregivers, to participate in a study on inclusion experiences in secondary school communities.

How does it work?

Students:

Initial 45-60 min interview
1-2 weeks photo voice activity
30-35 min follow-up interview

Caregivers:

45-60 min interview

*You will receive a $25 Chapter-Indigo Book Store gift card.

Who can join:

CLD students in Canada aged 16-25.
Caregivers of students who are participating in the study.

Why join?

This research focuses on student lead narratives, which are fundamental to informing educational and social practices, and in reforming policies related to the inclusion of CLD students with ASD in secondary school communities.

More information:

For more information, or to volunteer to participate in this study, please contact: Maria Shaikh (PhD Student at Queen’s University). [email protected]

This study has been reviewed for ethical compliance by the Queen’s University General Research Ethics Board.

Autistic Adult Reports of Experiences in ABA

The USC ABA program’s diversity lab is aiming to center the voices of autistic adults who have received ABA. The study aims to understand their experiences and desires for services, demonstrate the impact that ABA have in a person’s life, and offer insights on how ABA can better adapt to the different needs and values of the autistic community. To qualify for an interview, participants must be autistic adults (diagnosed or self-identifying) that are 18 years of age or older, have had ABA services for at least a total of 6 months at any point in their life time, and have the ability to communicate independently (vocally or non-vocally). Interviews will be conducted over Zoom and take approximately 1 hour. Participants will be compensated with a $20 Amazon gift card.