Participating in Autism Research

Ongoing Autism Research - Volunteers Needed

Below is a listing of university affiliated research projects which parents may be interested in exploring.

The Meaning of Music for Aboriginal Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Anne Lindblom, a doctoral student from the University of Eastern Finland, is studying the meaning of music for aboriginal children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ASD. No research has been done about this and  participation can generate valuable knowledge about how music can be used as a tool for inclusion.  The participants will be given a questionnaire regarding musical activities.
To assist in the identification of aboriginal children with ASD, a screening for autism spectrum disorder will be conducted within one or several First Nations bands or with aboriginal pupils within one or more school districts. The screening will be done in collaboration with the supervising professor, Dr, Grace Iarocci from SFU.

Parents, caregivers and teachers will be involved in the screening.  The school board and/or band office will first have to consent to the screening process. Parental consent then will be needed. School personnel, caregivers and parents will fill out ASRS, Autism Spectrum Rating Scales, screening forms. The questionnaire regarding musical activities will also be done by the parents, together with the child when possible. Children that score at the high of the screening will, if the parents so wish, be referred to their family doctor who can refer them to the BC Autism Assessment Network at Sunny Hill Hospital. Families also have the option to go to a private assessment. Only parents will be informed if their child has a high score.

For further information,  please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Participation in the study will be anonymous.

Family Quality of Life Study

 The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of Quality of Life for families of children with ASD.  We are interested in the role of various factors, including child characteristics, services, and supports.  This study may involve completing a phone interview and an online survey.  Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in participating!  
| Details > (.pdf)
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Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders
 
The ASD Studies Lab at Queen’s is currently conducting an online study to explore the relationship between anxiety, repetitive behaviours, and sensory processing in children with ASD. The study will require you to complete questionnaires about your child’s behaviours and emotional responses. The study is being conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Kelley's lab at Queen's University. The study is completely confidential and non-invasive. To participate, click on the link and enter the password "asdstudy".
http://www.tinyurl.com/QueensASDstudy

Go4KIDDS Health Care and Service System Survey 
Go4KIDDS is looking for parents of Canadian children and youth (ages 10-16 years) with severe developmental disabilities to participate in a survey regarding their needs and access to healthcare and services. The survey can be completed online at http://www.surveymk.com/s/gohealth1

Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Study for a Korean Canadian Family
한국 가족을 위한 긍정적 행동지원 연구
 
The aim of this research is to help a Korean Canadian family of a young child with developmental disabilities who engages in problem behavior at home. We want to help parents to help their children manage everyday situations better. If know any Korean families or if you are a Korean Canadian family, we would like to invite you to participate in our PBS study. Please read the attached letter.
장애를 가진 아이를 가지신 한국 부모님 위한 긍정적 행동 연구 입니다. 참고 페이지를 읽어주세요

Sharing Experiences of Coping and Self-care 
The Adler School of Professional Psychology wants to better understand the coping and self-care strategies used by mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They are seeking mothers, who have at least one child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, who was diagnosed for at least one year. The child must be 11 years old or less. Mothers would be willing to share her experiences on her journey to cope and self-care in a 1 ½ hour individual interview.
| Details > (.pdf)

We would like to invite you to join our effort in improving oral care for children with autism. Current research shows that they may benefit from structured learning by using picture cues to outline a visual activity schedule.  This technique appears to be effective in teaching children with autism both at home and in school. As such, the BC Children’s Hospital dental clinic is currently investigating the benefits of using a similar method in reducing anxiety for children with autism in the dental office. We encourage and very much appreciate the participation of:

English speaking children 3-8 years male with autism who have not had a complete or cooperative dental exam

The inclusion of a Medical Genetics Consultation is becoming increasingly accepted and recognized as an important part of the standard of care in ASD diagnosis, evaluation and counselling. It is used to provide parents, families, individuals on the spectrum and health care providers with as much information as possible about causative factors involved in ASDs that may influence management and outcomes for people living with autism. The B.C. Autism Spectrum Interdisciplinary Research (ASPIRE) Team, needs your help to measure the value and impact of Medical Genetics Assessments for ASDs.
| Details > (.pdf)

Attention South Asian Parents and Caregivers
The purpose of the study is to gain a better understanding of South Asian families’ needs regarding treatment for their children diagnosed with autism, barriers they may face, and to gain a better understanding of how professionals can help South Asian children with autism.
| Details > (.pdf)

Does your child or teenager love trains?
Simon Fraser University Department of Psychology is looking for children and youth (6-19 years) who have a special interest in trains.
| Details > (.pdf)

Wanted: Teens & Young Adults for Online Study
Simon Fraser University Department of Psychology is looking for teens and young adults (13-21 years) for an online study.
| Details > (.pdf)

 Does your preschool child like computers?
Simon Fraser University Department of Psychology is looking for preschool children (3-6 years) to play some fun and interactive computer games.
| Details > (.pdf)

Facial Emotion Recognition
In collaboration with colleagues at SFU and UBC, Glen Eden School Society is conducting a research project that will generate new knowledge for how people with Down syndrome or Autism understand emotions and provide new information about where people look when they watch someone else expressing different emotions.
| Details > (.pdf) 

How do youth with autism explore faces?
Simon Fraser University Department of Psychology is looking for youth between 5-24 years of age and their parents to participate in research studies on the exploration of faces.
| Details > (.pdf) 

Cognitive and Language Abilities in Bilingual Children with Autism
The University of British Columbia Department of Speech Language Pathology invites you to participate in research on the vocabulary of Chinese-English bilingual children with autism. Both Mandarin-English and Cantonese-English speakers are welcome.
| Details > (.pdf)

UW Autism Study to Treat Infants without Symptoms
A study commencing at the University of Washington is designed to explore the effects of very early autism intervention by treating children who may display few or no obvious symptoms, but who do have a sibling diagnosed as on the spectrum.
| Details >