Participate in Autism Research

Participants wanted for study of the transition out of high school and into adulthood

Project end date: July 28, 2023

This project will explore the experiences, strengths, and ideals of autistic people as they make the transition out of high school and into adulthood. Participants will complete a semi-structured interview (~1hr). Autistic people who have graduated high school in Canada in the past 5 years as well as parents of such people are eligible to participate. Parents and their children do not need to... Read More

How Parents Choose Math Apps

Project end date: September 30, 2023

The purpose of the study is to include parents of children on the autism spectrum in ongoing research about parental choices of educational apps for their children. This is important because they are usually not included, but characteristics of autism may influence parental app choice for children.

The study is completed on Zoom by parents. Participants are asked to respond to a survey... Read More

Sound Sensitivity Study

Project end date: October 31, 2023

We are recruiting autistic youth (ager 12 and up) and adults 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... Read More

Male Autistic Adult Participants Wanted for UBC Study

Project end date: January 1, 2024

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?

• Individual 19 years old or older who identify as autistic (including self-diagnosed) and neurodivergent.
• Who also have access to technology (i.e., computer, tablet, phone) and... Read More

Research on the pathways people follow when trying to obtain an autism diagnosis.

Project end date: Ongoing project

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... Read More

Dating, Relationships, Sexual Health Education and Service Needs Study

Project end date: September 23, 2023

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... Read More

Research Opportunity for Parents Who Completed PEERS

Project end date: Ongoing project

Are you a parent who has participated in PEERS? This study is looking for parents who have completed the PEERS program within the last three years who are interested in talking about their experience with PEERS. The study is hoping to learn about ways to improve interventions for parents of adolescents with autism and to determine how to best address parent’s needs.

Parents will be... Read More

The Future of Disability-Inclusive Policy Focus Groups

Project end date: Ongoing project

Researchers with the Disability Policy Research Program at the University of Calgary are recruiting for a study that is using focus groups to discuss the future of disability-inclusive policy in Canada. These focus groups will be comprised of youth with disabilities, parents/caregivers of youth with disabilities, and representatives from non-profit organizations.Participation in this study... Read More

High School Transition Study

Project end date: Ongoing project

Researchers from the University of New Brunswick are seeking parents of youth with either autism and/or an intellectual disability for an online survey on quality of life during the transition to adulthood. Currently, very little is known about the transitional period for these youth. The researchers are hoping to address this knowledge gap and provide rationale for the implementation of... Read More

Group Parent Training Project

Project end date: Ongoing project

This study by University of British Columbia will investigate the association between implementation of a group parent training model of family centred positive behaviour support (FCPBS) delivered via telepractice and: (a) improvements in child behaviours that challenge and positive engagement across the day with family members; and (b) global improvements in child and family functioning. Six... Read More

Parenting Stress & Family Quality of Life in Children with ASD and/or ADHD

Project end date: Ongoing project

The purpose of this study is to learn about the strengths of families of children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Brief study description: We will be collecting information through a brief online survey made up of questionnaires. The questionnaires will ask you questions about your child’s behaviour, parenting,... Read More

Autistic Mother & Non-Autistic Daughter Relationships During Adolescence

Project end date: Ongoing project

This study will explore how autistic mothers and their non-autistic adolescent daughters describe strengths, challenges, and communication in their parent-child relationships. Co-investigators of this study, who are both autistic mothers, helped develop the study topic and protocol. The research team will collaboratively decide how to present the research findings to prioritize the goals of... Read More

Using Eye-Tracking Technology and Machine Learning to explore the possible specific Affinity between Youth, Autism and Manga as a visual Language

Project end date: Ongoing project

Researchers at the University of British Columbia are looking for people ages 13-17 who are neurodiverse (autistic) and neurotypical to participate in eye-tracking while reading Manga (a Japanese comic). This study will provide some of the first research to ascertain if there is any affinity to manga by youth with autism, and to appreciate if there are differences in how youth read manga. If... Read More

Study on video games, music and Autism

Project end date: Ongoing project

Researchers at the University of Montreal are evaluating the effect of video games on children’s rhythmic abilities and cognition. The game is a mobile app for tablet and smartphone. Participants should meet these criteria:

• Age between 7-13 years old.
• Understand English and/or French.
• Be non-musician (have less than two years of formal musical... Read More

Assessing feasibility and effectiveness of an online parent resource to support safe and active sport and recreation for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Project end date: Ongoing project

Researchers at the UBC Okanagan School of Nursing are looking for individuals to provide input for developing and testing an online training resource for supporting parents raising a child on the autism spectrum. The researchers have developed this online survey to gather input from both parents of children on the autism spectrum as well as service providers about their interests and... Read More

Teachers’ perspective on the student-teacher relationship in female students with autism spectrum disorder

Project end date: Ongoing project

Researchers at the University of British Columbia are investigating teachers’ perspective on the student-teacher relationship quality with elementary-aged female students with autism spectrum disorder. The study is looking for current or previous elementary-school teachers to complete a 15-minute online survey. Participants are eligible to participate if they have taught in the past three... Read More

Aging and Autism

Project end date: December 31, 2026

Researchers at Hollandview Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation are looking for adults, aged 40 years and older, who have an ASD diagnosis, with normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing, to participate in a study on aging. The purpose of this study is to understand how aging happens to develop better supports for autistic adults. What’s involved? You will be asked to answer questionnaires,... Read More

Everyday Experiences and Communication

Project end date: Ongoing project

Researchers at Western University are interested in what people know about common events and how people communicate. They are looking for autistic and non-autistic adults and children to participate in an online study.

Who can participate?

• Adults (18 and older) who are autistic or non-autistic
• Children (aged 9-17) who are autistic or non-autistic, and... Read More

Research Study About ASD and Parenting

Project end date: Ongoing project

Are you the parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder aged 13-45? Researchers at Vanderbilt University want to know more about you and your relationship with your child. This online study includes completing a consent form, two online questionnaires that will take about 30 minutes, and a short 10-minute recorded Zoom interview with a Vanderbilt student to find out more about you and your... Read More

Game-based cognitive intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Project end date: Ongoing project

The University of Victoria Child Development Lab is currently conducting a study comparing game-based cognitive interventions for children with autism. The purpose of this research is to determine whether children can benefit from a cognitive intervention to improve their abilities to focus, remember, and self-regulate.

In this study, caregivers will have a role as their child’s... Read More

Challenges and Facilitators During Transition to Adulthood of Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities

Project end date: Ongoing project

Researchers at Dalhousie University are conducting a project investigating challenges and resources during transition to adulthood of adolescents with disabilities. The purpose of this project is to uncover barriers and factors that ease the transition to adulthood of adolescents with disabilities from perspectives of youth with disabilities, their parents, and service providers. What we mean... Read More

Investigating Depressive Symptomatology in Adolescents with ASD and ADHD

Project end date: Ongoing project

Researchers at Queen’s University are conducting a study of the overlapping symptoms between depression and developmental disorders such as ASD and ADHD. Adolescents both with and without depression, and with and without ASD or ADHD, are invited to participate, along with their parent.

The child will be asked to complete a questionnaire about their feelings over the last two weeks.... Read More

Social inclusion among individuals with autism spectrum disorder: How to advance their resilience

Project end date: Ongoing project

This Dalhousie University study will explore resilience and stress experienced by families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Researchers are also interested in understanding the strategies families and children use to cope with challenges, as well as available resources and gaps in services to promote family’s resilience. Participants must be: persons living with ASD (above 15... Read More

Body Image in Adolescents with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Project end date: Ongoing project

Many people with autism experience feeding and eating problems (e.g., picky eating, sensitivity to food textures, eating disorders), but it is not fully understood why. Body image (how someone thinks and feels about their body) plays an important role in eating disorders. This University of Calgary study aims to understand how teenage females with autism experience body image compared to their... Read More

Development of an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot for Families of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Project end date: Ongoing project

Researchers at the University of Alberta are attempting to improve the life outcomes of families affected by Neurodevelopmental Disorders by developing a chatbot. The verification of engagement strategies used in the Chatbot is critical to improve families’ experiences with the application. The research team is currently in the process of running Focus Groups that are one-time 45~60-minute... Read More

Getting to know you: the frequency, intentionality and content of mind wandering in autistic individuals

Project end date: October 31, 2023

The Brain, Attention, and Reality Lab studies different aspects of attention during natural, everyday activities.

Our current study investigates mind wandering (day dreaming) in individuals high in autistic traits. This study involves sitting for 5 minutes of rest with your eyes closed in a quiet room. Immediately following the resting period, you will complete a short survey that asks... Read More

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills Training via Telehealth for Self-Harming Autistic People

Project end date: August 11, 2023

A neurodiverse research team working with the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Lab and the Personality and Emotion Research Lab at Simon Fraser University are interested in evaluating DBT skills training delivered over a telehealth medium to support self-harming and/or suicidal autistic people.

DBT is a mindfulness and cognitive-behavioural based intervention. The aim is to teach... Read More

Integration of therapy dogs into education sessions

Project end date: Ongoing project

Researchers at the University of British Columbia are looking for children with autism spectrum disorder/ autistic children (diagnosed or suspected) between the ages of 3-7 years to participate in a new study to better understand how to best integrate therapy dogs into education sessions.

The purpose of this study is to understand how different handling styles of therapy dogs influence... Read More

Did You Struggle Feeding Your Child with Autism as an Infant? We Would Be Interested in Hearing Your Story.

Project end date: Ongoing project

If you are a mother to a child ages 2-10 years old with an Autism diagnosis who had difficulty feeding at 0-12 months of age, you may be able to take part in this research study!

Contact principal investigator: Amy Campbell at Read More

Exploring autistic experiences in, and perspectives on speech-language therapy: A Survey

Project end date: Ongoing project

Researchers from Western University are seeking autistic adults and parents/caregivers of autistic individuals residing in Canada for participation in a brief survey to share their experiences and opinions regarding speech-language pathology (SLP) services for autistic children and youth. Participants will have the opportunity to be compensated for their participation.

This project aims... Read More

Does a Father's exposure to environmental factors influence the risk for autism in his children?

Project end date: Ongoing project

Genetic studies have identified about 100 candidate genes for autism, yet most cases are unexplained. The rising rates of autism suggest that gene environment interactions may be implicated in paternal factors associated with autism in children. In support of this possibility older father’s, overweight men, and men exposed to toxicants such as endocrine disruptors are all at a greater risk... Read More