Research Participation Postings
This page lists current research participation opportunities that may be of interest to individuals or families. Participating in research can be rewarding in several ways, such as knowing the study you participate in will help other individuals or families with autism in the future. (If you're a researcher wishing to promote research participation opportunities with Autism Ontario, please visit our Guidelines for Researchers page to learn more.) The text of each posting is presented as it was submitted by the researcher.
Please see the research participation opportunities below.
Relative Diversity associated with Neurexin Trajectories (RaDiaNT study)
The aim of the project is to investigate genetic heterogeneity and factors influencing risk and resilience outcomes in individuals with NRXN1 deletions to enhance understanding of neurodevelopment and genetics. We are looking for individuals who have a confirmed diagnosis of NRXN 1 Deletion and their family members (parents/siblings) with or without NRXN 1 Deletion and individuals between the ages of three to 21 years old with no history/or close family history of a neurodevelopmental or mental health condition.
The study is currently open for enrollment in Toronto, ON, Dublin, Ireland and Melbourne, Australia. Together we hope to build the largest NRXN1 deletion dataset, and we are focused on understanding genetics, different behaviours and thinking skills.
We want to learn more about why some people with NRXN1 deletions may develop a neurodevelopmental condition while others do not. Participation in the study will include 2 onsite visits to SickKids, each visit being approximately 4hrs long. Participants are to provide a blood or saliva sample, complete some skills assessments and questionnaires and watch videos with MEG, EEG and eye tracking.
Participants will receive a gift certificate, volunteer hours and reimbursement for parking/TTC costs.
Please contact the BeACoN group at recruitment.beacon@sickkids.ca for all those interested in participating.
Co-designing family centred and culturally responsive therapeutic programming with autistic adults and families of autistic children and youth
A research study at McGill University is exploring how to co-design therapeutic programs with the expertise of autistic adults and families of autistic children and youth. The goal is to co-design family-centred, culturally responsive services that affirm neurodiversity and promote quality of life across diverse communities. The study has been approved by McGill University’s Research Ethics Board (#24-11-040).
The study is seeking participants from Ontario who are autistic adults (18+), caregivers, siblings (18+), grandparents, educators/practitioners with experience in therapeutic programming.
Participation is completely voluntary and includes:
• A survey about family quality of life (for families)
• A semi-structured interview, focus group, or both (choice provided)
• The option to bring a trusted person, use AAC, write responses, or request translation—whatever feels most comfortable
• Sessions can be conducted online or in person
• A $25 gift card
Contact: Kelly Dsouza Email: kelly.dsouza@mail.mcgill.ca, Dr. Tara Flanagan, Supervisor
Email: taradawn.flanagan@mcgill.ca
Exploring the Experiences of Self-Identified Self-Advocates on the Autism Spectrum with ABA-Based Practices and Research
“Exploring the Experiences of Self-Identified Self-Advocates on the Autism Spectrum with ABA-Based Practices and Research” is a project being conducted jointly by the University of Western Ontario and Brock University. This research aims to explore the perspectives of autistic adults who have received ABA-based services and support/participated in autism-related research.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age, self-identify as being on the autism spectrum, and have received ABA-based services and supports. Previously, a survey was disseminated for the study and a virtual conference was held in collaboration with Autism Ontario. Currently, participants are being recruited to participate in a 1-hour, online interview via Zoom. Participants will also be contacted to complete a member-checking process. If they choose, participants may have a trusted person such as a family member or friend present for the interview. Participants will receive a $25 Amazon gift card for their time.
For more information, please contact Dr. Laura Mullins' lab at mullinslab@brocku.ca
Has your child been assessed for a learning disability?
Research participants needed!
Hello everyone,
My name is Florencia Saposnik, and I am a current master’s student in the School and Clinical Child Psychology program at the University of Toronto. For my master’s thesis, my project focuses on the experiences of parents/caregivers when accessing a psychoeducational assessment for youth in their care.
If you are willing to participate you must:
- Be a parent/caregiver who has previously sought out a psychoeducational assessment for a youth in their care within the last 10 years
- The child/youth must have attended an Ontario school at the time of assessment.
You would be asked to fill out a 15-20-minute survey about your experiences with accessing a psychoeducational assessment for the youth in your care, and any barriers you may have faced. The study will take place through the online platform, Qualtrics.
You can access the survey by clicking on the following link:
https://qualtricsxmyn4mkq66j.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6YiQvEVIVoE0LZQ
You will be presented with a Letter of Information followed by a consent button before the survey begins. For the full details of the study, please click on the link above!
For further information about this study please contact: Florencia Saposnik – Student Principal Investigator Department of Human Development and Applied Psychology – Florencia.saposnik@mail.utoronto.ca or Dr. Linda Iwenofu – Faculty Supervisor, Department of Human Development and Applied Psychology - linda.iwenofu@utoronto.ca
This study has been reviewed by and received ethics clearance from the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board.
Are you an Arabic-speaking caregiver of a child with autism spectrum disorder? We would love to hear from you!
The Autism Research Centre at Dalhousie University is looking for Arabic-speaking parents who have a young child with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis to complete a brief survey on autism early intervention.
We are looking for families with a child who:
- Has an official diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and
- Is 8 years old or younger and
- Has received or will be receiving autism early intervention.
Participants will be asked to review a poster about autism early intervention (in Arabic) and complete two associated brief questionnaires (may be completed in Arabic or English). This should not take longer than 10 minutes. Compensation will be provided for your time.
If interested, please visit the following link: tinyurl.com/ArabicNDBIs or email Teba.Hamodat@dal.ca if you have any questions or would like to learn more about the research study.
This study has been approved by the IWK Health Research Ethics Board (#1030553).
Join the Tabletop Role-Playing Games for Therapy Research Study!
What is the study about?
Have you ever wanted to play Dungeons and Dragons but never had the chance? Now’s your opportunity! We want to learn how games like Dungeons & Dragons can help people. We’re especially interested in how these games can help with social skills.
Who can participate?
· People aged 14 to 25 who have never played tabletop role-playing games
· Must be able to speak and understand English.
· Must live in Ontario or Québec.
· Must have a diagnosis or identify as a person with autism spectrum disorder.
· Can join a 90-minute online game session once a week for 8 weeks.
· Must have zoom for a short interview.
What’s involved?
You will join in a 90-minute game session once a week, for 8 weeks. You will complete one questionnaire before starting and after the completion of all game sessions. You will also participate in an exit interview.
Groups will run on Mondays and Thursdays from 6pm to 7:30pm EST beginning the week of March 31st. You can participate in either the Monday or Thursday group.
What are the potential benefits?
· We will discover how these games can help with social skills.
· We will gather information to support using games in occupational therapy.
· You might feel more confident in social situations and making friends.
· Plus, you’ll have fun!
To ask questions or sign up, please contact:
Cody Roy – cody.roy@mail.utoronto.ca
Naomi Hazlett: naomi.hazlett@gmail.com
Invitation to Participate – Autistic Definitions of Adulthood Study
Dr. Mackenzie Salt at McMaster University is looking for Autistic people to participate in a focus group study about how Autistic youth and adults feel about adulthood and what is most important to them about being/becoming adults.
• Participants must be between 16 and 24 years of age (the focus groups for the other age group mentioned in the poster (25+ years) are already full)
• Focus groups will be conducted in English
• Participants will receive a worksheet to help them organize their thoughts on the focus group topic before the group
• Participants will participate in one 90-minute focus group over Zoom.
• Participants will receive a $40.00 gift card at the end of the study.
Please see the flyer below for more information on how to participate.
If you have any questions about the study, please contact the study team at autadult@mcmaster.ca
This study has been reviewed by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board under Project #13623.
Are you a Parent who is also Autistic? We want to hear from you!
The Community Autism Research Lab at Carleton University is looking for parents who were diagnosed or self-identified as Autistic after their Autistic child(ren) to participate in a study exploring their experiences. Particularly, we are interested in understanding your motivations for seeking an autism diagnosis, your diagnostic journey, and your reflections on autistic parenting.
What does participation involve?
You will be asked to complete 2 steps:
- Survey: Complete a questionnaire that includes questions about yourself and your child(ren) (~20-30 minutes); and/or
- Interview: Participate in a one-on-one interview with your choice of an autistic or non-autistic researcher, in the format of your choice, including a Zoom meeting or phone call (~45-60 minutes).
Participants will receive up to $25.00 in eGift Card ($10.00 for the questionnaire and $15.00 for the interview).
Interested?
If you are interested in participating or have any questions about the study, please contact us at AutismLab@carleton.ca.
This research has been approved by the Carleton University Research Ethics Board-B (Protocol #122084).
Invitation to participate in a research study about Virtual Peer Support for Newly Diagnosed Autistic Women
We are a group of researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) doing a study, titled “Evaluation of a Peer-led Program for and with Autistic Women
We are looking to recruit participants to evaluate the impact of a virtual peer support program on the wellbeing of newly diagnosed autistic women. Participation in this study includes:
- attending weekly virtual peer support sessions that are 1.5 hours long for 8 weeks, starting on Tuesday March 18 at 6:30pm
- filling out surveys 3 times during the study period (over 25 weeks) that will take about 45-60 minutes to complete, and
- participating in a post-program individual interview (60-90 minutes) about your experiences in the program.
Participation is completely voluntary and will not affect any present or future services provided by CAMH. Any information collected for this study will be confidential.
Please find attached a recruitment flyer, which includes information about the study and our contact information. Please share this information with autistic women who have been clinically diagnosed with autism in the past 8 months.
If you would like more information, please contact the CAMH research staff by email AWPeerSupport@camh.ca.
