Participate in Autism Research
Ongoing Autism Research – Volunteers Needed
Below is a listing of university affiliated research projects which autistic individuals, parents, and community professionals may be interested in exploring.
Researchers are invited to submit your research project using this online form. Submission may take up to one week to post.
Please read your submission carefully, and check for spelling or other errors. ACT does not edit postings.
ACT reserves the right to request ethics approval for projects and not to post projects submitted.
Research on the pathways people follow when trying to obtain an autism diagnosis.
Project end date: March 31, 2025
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... Read More
Research Opportunity for Parents Who Completed PEERS
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
Autistic Mother & Non-Autistic Daughter Relationships During Adolescence
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... 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: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
Study on video games, music and Autism
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... 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: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
Teachers’ perspective on the student-teacher relationship in female students with autism spectrum disorder
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... 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... Read More
Everyday Experiences and Communication
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
Research Study About ASD and Parenting
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
Game-based cognitive intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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,... Read More
Challenges and Facilitators During Transition to Adulthood of Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
Investigating Depressive Symptomatology in Adolescents with ASD and ADHD
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
Social inclusion among individuals with autism spectrum disorder: How to advance their resilience
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
The Future of Disability-Inclusive Policy Focus Groups
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
Body Image in Adolescents with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
High School Transition Study
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
Development of an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot for Families of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
Group Parent Training Project
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... Read More
Parenting Stress & Family Quality of Life in Children with ASD and/or ADHD
Project end date: April 30, 2025
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... Read More