Should you wish to have your research invitation posted on our site, we require the following documentation:  

1. A brief description of the study (a page or two description is preferred).
2. A copy of the brief posting you would like for the website (see samples on this page).
3. A copy of your research ethics approval form.
4. A description of your experience with the population (or ASDs), and/or your supervisors'. The goal here is to be sure that those posting at least know about the population vs some abstract interest.
5. The end date when your posting should be removed from our website. 

Please email copies of these documents as word attachments, to  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with the subject 'Research Study Posting'.  On receiving these documents, they will be forwarded to our research committee for a decision.  

Participants Required for a Study about Special Interests in Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism

If you are an adult (over the age of 18) who has Asperger syndrome or high functioning autism, we invite you to participate in this study  

Melis Aday and Dr. David Hamilton from the School of Psychology at Deakin University are conducting an online study looking at special interests in adults with Asperger syndrome/ high functioning autism.  

We are interested in finding out about the types of special interests you might have, and the circumstances under which you tend to pursue them. You are invited to participate in this study even if you do not have a special interest. Also, depression and anxiety are two of the most commonly reported conditions by people with Asperger’s syndrome or high-functioning autism. This study will ask you some questions about your mood and how you deal with stressful situations. We hope that the information we obtain will assist mental health professionals to provide services which are more sensitive to the needs of people with Asperger syndrome or high functioning autism.

As a participant of this study, you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire which will take approximately 30 minutes. Participation is completely voluntary and anonymous. For further information and to access this questionnaire, please click on the website link below: http://www.deakin.edu.au/psychology/research/specialinterestsinAS/.

Thank you for your time, and please pass on the link to anyone else you think may be interested in completing it!

   Bullying and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Are you the parent of a child or youth who has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome or Autism?  Researchers from York University, Dr. Jonathan Weiss and Catherine Cappadocia, are conducting a nation wide study to investigate bullying experiences among children and youth diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  There is currently little research on this topic despite anecdotal evidence that suggests it is a very important issue for children and youth with ASD.  This study will identify factors that increase or decrease the likelihood of bullying and investigate the impact of bullying on the mental health of children with ASD. 

Please take 30 minutes to complete an important survey about bullying!  As a first step towards a better understanding of bullying and victimization among children and youth with ASD, parents can complete this survey online.  Parents will be asked to talk about their child’s experiences with bullying, school situation, and diagnosis and symptoms of Asperger syndrome or Autism.  Parents will also be asked their own perspective on their child’s health and behaviour and how this makes them feel. 

Survey results will be used to support school and community programs for children and youth with ASD.  The knowledge gained through this study will contribute to the development of future bullying prevention and intervention programs across Canada.  This project was approved by the York University Research Ethics Board.

Thank you in advance for your consideration!  As a token of our appreciation, all survey participants will be entered into a draw for $300.

To learn more about the survey or to participate, please click here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=bZg3nLA_2bQWdW_2bI_2fz_2bbXchw_3d_3d

You can also see the other projects we have for families of people with ASD by going to the website: www.familyprojects.ca

Online Survey Investigating Social Skills in ASD

Purpose

With this online study, we are hoping to learn more about the variability that we see in individuals with ASD. Although all youth with ASD appear to struggle with social interaction to some degree, we find that there is great variability in the social presentation of individuals. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a newly developed tool that we hope will be able to better identify areas of social strength and difficulty in children/adolescents with ASD. In the future, this tool may help us to better tailor social skills interventions to individuals and their needs.

Who is Invited to Participate?
Parents who have a child (between the ages of 11-18) with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (e.g., Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS) are invited to participate.

What is Involved?
This study can be completed over the phone and internet. Parents will first be contacted over the phone (at their convenience) and will be asked questions about their child’s early development. Subsequently, parents will be asked to complete an online survey asking questions about their child’s current social functioning.

How Long Will It Take?

• Phone Interview – approx. 20 minutes
• Online survey – approx. 30-40 minutes

Benefits of Participating:

• Help contribute to a better understanding of the social development of youth with ASD
• Receive a summary of the overall study results when the project is completed
• Parents will receive an honorarium of $25 for their participation

This research is being conducted by Jodi Yager and Dr. Grace Iarocci at the Autism and Developmental Disorders Lab, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.

If you are interested in participating or learning more about this study, please contact Jodi Yager:

Phone: 778-782-6746
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

This item will be removed on December 15, 2009

Understanding the Self-Perceptions of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder/Asperger’s syndrome

This research is being conducted by Kelley Drummond and Dr. Jessica Brian, Autism Research Unit, Sick Kids, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Purpose
• To understand how young people with ASD (including Asperger’s syndrome) view their strengths and weaknesses
• To identify how the beliefs of young people with ASD may impact their social and emotional functioning

Who Should Participate?
Male and female youth with ASD (including Asperger’s syndrome) between 13-18 years and their parents.

What is Involved?
Youth: Will participate in an interview, complete tasks that examine thinking and social-communication skills, and fill out questionnaires
Parents: Will participate in an in-depth interview about your child and fill out a questionnaire

How Long Will It Take?
Youth: One session (about 3-4 hours long) with breaks and refreshments
Parents: Interview (90+ minutes) and complete a questionnaire (20 minutes)

Benefits of Participating:
• Help contribute to a better understanding of youth with ASD
• Receive a developmental summary report outlining cognitive and social-emotional functioning
• Youth receive $20 gift certificate and can count their participation towards school community service hours (certificate will be provided)

If you are interested please contact Kelley Drummond at the Autism Research Unit at Sick Kids
Phone: 416-813-8748
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sexuality and Autism Spectrum Disorder

This research is being conducted by Dr. P. Melike Schalomon and Laura Gilmour,
Department of Psychology, Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA

Purpose:
We are interested in examining the relationship between sexuality and social behaviours associated with autism.

What does participation involve?
As a participant in this study, you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire.  Participation should not take longer than about 30 to 45 minutes.  You will be asked a number of demographic questions about your age, gender, ethnic background, and psychiatric history (if any).  You will also be asked questions about behaviours that can be used by us to assess whether or not you may be classified as a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).   Then you will be asked about your understanding of sexual terms and about the types of sexual experiences you have had.  Finally, we will evaluate your sexual desires and your opinions about your own sexuality. 

Who is invited to participate in this research?
We hope to collect data from about 1000 subjects, both those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, their family members, and members of the general population.   Participants must have a sufficiently high level of verbal function to understand language comparable to what is used in this research description.  Subjects must be legally classified as an adult (i.e. not a minor) and must be legally emancipated (i.e. must not have a legal guardian) to be eligible to participate in this research project. 

How can I participate?
If you are interested in participating, and have 45 minutes of uninterrupted time in a private setting, please click on the web link below to be forwarded to our survey:
Web URL:  http://www.surveymethods.com/EndUser.aspx?DAFE928DD39D8781

The Needs of Young People with Asperger’s Syndrome

EAST METRO YOUTH SERVICES
 
YOUNG RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED
for a study on the perspectives of youth with Asperger’s
 
WHO: 10-18 year old’s diagnosed with Asperger’s
 
This research will involve conducting interviews to find the needs, reactions, coping strategies and experiences.
 
This will involve a face-to-face interview with young people. The interview will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour and will take place in a location convenient to you.
 
We will repay you for all your reasonable out of pocket costs for being in this study; for example, food, parking and getting you to and from the interview location. An honorarium will also be provided for your time and effort.
 
If you are interested in hearing more about this study or participating would you please contact:
Cristina and Ali (research assistants) at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or
Katherine Boydell at 416-813-8469 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

RESILIENCY IN INDIVIDUALS WITH APSERGER DISORDER & HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM

This research stems from a collaborative partnership between the Universities of Calgary and Manitoba, and efforts are underway to include participants from British Columbia and Ontario.

What is this research interested in?
Many individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism face challenges when making life transitions into adulthood.  We hope to better understand what factors support successful life transitions and resiliency and, subsequently, what support services would best promote this type of transitional growth and development.  We are looking for individuals, ages 16 to 21 years, who have Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism, who might be interested in participating in this research.

What does participation involve?
Participation initially involves the completion of paper and pencil questionnaires that will provide the research team with a better understanding of the participant.  Following this, participants are contacted to arrange a convenient time that they can complete some additional questionnaires and computer-based tasks. Participants will be asked to attend either a 1 hour or a 4-5 hour session. This session will occur in the GTA, at a place of convenience for the participant.  Upon completion, those completing the 1 hour session will be placed into a draw for prizes such as USB flash drive, and those completing the 4-5 hour session will receive a $50 gift certificate for the Future Shop.

Why is this research important?
Participants will assist us in better understanding the unique abilities of individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism that promote resiliency during the transition into adulthood.  In turn, this information may help inform support services that foster resilience and successful life transitions.

Please note: All inquiries regarding this research, as well as participants’ information, is kept strictly confidential. 

CONTACT:
If you, or someone you know may be interested, please contact the research team at either This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or (403) 220-3642.

Research Team:
Dr. Vicki Schwean
Dr. Donald Saklofske
Dr. Janine Montgomery
Adam McCrimmon, M.A
Danielle Dyke, M.A.
Yvonne Hindes, M.Sc.
Jo-Anne Burt, M.Sc.
Keoma Thorne, B.A.

Funding Support:
This research is generously funded by the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research, as well as the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada.

Action Observation in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This research is being conducted by Vivian Lee, Research Assistant, Dr. Elizabeth Kelley, Assistant Professor and Dr. Randy Flanagan, Professor, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario.

Purpose
The purpose of the current study is to gain a better understanding of the origins for social difficulties individuals with ASD experience.  Specifically, we will be conducting a number of tasks that will examine your ability to predict the actions of others.

What Is Involved
In the study, we will be looking at your eye-gaze during the observation of hand movements, either your own or somebody else's. To measure your eye-gaze and hand movement, we will be using an eye-tracker and a small sensor attached to your right thumb (with tape). During the study, we will ask you to hold your head still using a wax bite-bar while we measure your eye-movements with the eye-tracker. You have the option of using a chin-rest if you prefer it to the bite-bar. Next, I will ask you to repeat the action of stacking blocks or watch as an experimenter performs the same action. Afterwards, we will administer an interview-based assessment that looks at your verbal and spatial aptitude.
Please note that you may stop the testing procedure at any time without consequence.  There are no known physical, psychological, economic, or social risks associated with this research, and it has been cleared by the Queen’s University Health Sciences Research Ethics Board.

Time Requirement
In total, the study should take 2 hours.
Parking is provided for the duration of the study and all participants will be compensated $20.00.

Age Requirements
Any person with ASD who is age 16 or over.

How To Participate
If you would like more information about our study or the ASD Studies Lab at Queen’s University please visit us at http://psyc.queensu.ca/asdstudies/index.html

If you are interested in participating, please contact Vivian Lee at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us at (613) 533-2894.

We look forward to hearing from you!