Research Participation Postings

Hello,

My name is Mariah Lisi, and I’m a graduate student completing my Master’s thesis at Concordia University. As part of my research, I’m hoping to learn directly from parents and caregivers of children diagnosed with autism.
The goal of this study is to better understand how screen use (such as TV, tablets, phones, and video games) fits into the daily lives of children with autism. Specifically, I’m interested in:
- how children’s screen use may be related to behaviour,
- how screen use may relate to children’s emotions, and
- parents’ reasons for allowing screen time (for example, learning, calming, or getting through daily routines).

I’m inviting parents or primary caregivers of children aged 6–10 years old with a confirmed autism diagnosis to take part. Your child should use screens daily, and you should be comfortable completing an online questionnaire in English.

Participation involves completing a confidential online survey that takes about 15-20 minutes. Participation is completely voluntary, and there is no compensation for taking part.
I’m recruiting families from all regions of Ontario and the study is conducted entirely online.

If this feels like something you might be interested in, you can use the link below to participate:
https://concordia.yul1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6G9djQxeMgGgNvM

Please feel free to contact me by email (mariah.lisi@mail.concordia.ca) if you have any questions. 

🏫We’re inviting autistic children (ages 5–12) and their caregivers in the Greater Toronto Area to take part in a study at the Bloorview Research Institute at Holland Bloorview: “Advancing Schoolyard Inclusion for Autistic Children and their Families.”

💬Our team (Co-Supervisors: Drs.Tim Ross & Sally Lindsay) wants to learn how autistic children and their families experience and engage with schoolyards — what makes these spaces welcoming, what challenges arise, and how they can be improved.

🎨 How you’ll participate:
Children: Choose one or more arts-based activities (photo-taking, drawing, or letter-writing) and join a short interview (30–45 min).
Caregivers: Take part in a 45–60 min interview and optional art activities.

📩 Interested? Contact: amanda.chan@hollandbloorview.ca

🔗Learn more: https://hollandbloorview.ca/advancing-schoolyard-inclusion-autistic-children-and-their-families-0

Names of Researchers:
• Miss Tiana Caccetta (PhD Candidate & Westpac Future Leaders Scholar)
• Associate Professor Iliana Magiati (Chief Investigator and PhD Supervisor)
• Dr Lauren Taylor (PhD Co-Supervisor)
• Professor Ailsa Russell (External PhD Co-Supervisor, University of Bath)

What is the study about?
This study wants to find out if the checklists we use to check for OCD can help identify OCD symptoms in autistic adults. We want to see if these checklists can tell the difference between autistic traits and OCD symptoms in autistic adults. We are also looking to find out if these checklists can show us what OCD is like in autistic adults.

Staff and students from The University of Western Australia (UWA) are running the study, together with a researcher from the University of Bath in the UK.

You can take part in this study if:
1. You are 18 years old or older, AND
2. A health professional diagnosed you with:
a. Autism, OR
b. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), OR
c. Both autism and OCD; AND
3. You are not seriously ill right now, and you are not currently receiving inpatient, hospital, or intensive care for your physical or mental health; AND
4. You speak English and can complete an online survey.

Participating Involves...
1. Answering a short set of screening questions, which will only take a few minutes. If you meet the study's inclusion criteria, a member of our research team will then email you a link to the survey.
2. You will then fill out a set of questionnaires online, which will take about 20-40 minutes.
3. The questionnaires will ask you about yourself (e.g., age, gender), your autism and/or OCD diagnosis, OCD symptoms, your emotional well-being, and autistic traits.
4. After you finish the questionnaires, you will submit it online to us. We will also give you some information about autism and OCD supports.

If you are interested in taking part, have questions or want to know more: email Tiana Caccetta (PhD Candidate & Westpac Future Leaders Scholar) at tiana.caccetta@research.uwa.edu.au

Pre-screening survey: https://uwa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0OOLv9xT3QWqh7g

My name is Komal (Kay) Narula and I am a Ph.D. Candidate under the supervision of Dr. Cheryl Davis at Capella University completing program in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Study Purpose & Research Questions
The purpose of this study is to explore whether real-time translated coaching can help parents who speak English as a second language support their child with autism in learning everyday life skills at home. The study examines whether live coaching, delivered through a small earpiece and translated instantly using artificial intelligence (AI), improves parents’ confidence, understanding, and ability to teach daily skills such as self-care or household routines.

Participant Eligibility Criteria
Participants must be parents or primary caregivers of a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Parents must prefer to receive coaching in a language other than English (Mandarin, French, or Punjabi). Families currently receiving services or supervision from the researcher or Hope Autism Services are not eligible.

Participation Details
Participation lasts approximately 4–6 weeks and takes place entirely online. Families will meet virtually to select a life skill, followed by short coaching sessions where parents practice teaching the skill with real-time translated support. Consent forms are available in the parent’s preferred language.

Compensation
There is no financial compensation for participation.

Ontario Regions
This study is open to families across Ontario, as all sessions are conducted virtually.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please scan the QR code below or visit the following link to check your eligibility:
https://sites.google.com/view/screeningquestionnaire

Contact Information
For more information, please contact:
Komal (Kay) Sethi
Email: ksethinarula@capellauniversity.edu
Phone: 416-795-1138

My name is Melissa Lazo and I am a Ph.D. Candidate under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Schanding at the University of British Columbia. We are recruiting participants for an interview study as part of my doctoral dissertation. This study will help us better understand the experiences of autistic adolescents and youth living with an autistic parent.

Who can participate?

We are looking for autistic adolescents and youth ages 13 to 21 and one of their autistic parents (self-diagnosis accepted) to participate in the study. Families must be living in Canada.

What's involved?

The study will involve a 45–60-minute online Zoom interview between the adolescent/youth and the researcher. Questions will focus on topics including autistic identity, daily life, and their interactions with their parents. 

A 5-minute background questionnaire will be completed by the parent before the interview. Accommodations and flexible scheduling are available. 

Will there be compensation?

Participating families will receive a $25CAD e-gift cards to thank them for their time.

Interested in participating or have questions? 

Follow the link to the study screening questionnaire to see if you can participate:
https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_08SmUtkS5XlvF6S

Or contact Melissa Lazo (Co-Investigator; melilazo@student.ubc.ca) and/or Dr. Thomas Schanding (Principal Investigator; thomas.schanding@ubc.ca) for more information.

My name is Melissa Lazo and I am a Ph.D. Candidate under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Schanding at the University of British Columbia. We are recruiting participants for a survey study as part of my doctoral dissertation. This study will help us better understand the mental health and masking of autistic adolescents and youth with and without autistic parents. 

Who can participate?

We are looking for autistic adolescent/youth ages 13 to 21 and one of their parents (autistic and non-autistic) to participate in the study. Families must currently be living in Canada, USA, England, or Australia. 

What's involved?

The study will involve a 10-minute online survey completed by the parent and a 15-minute online survey completed by the adolescent/youth. A 5-minute Zoom video call will be required prior to the survey to verify participant identities and reconfirm consent.

Will there be compensation?

Families will have the opportunity to enter a draw for a chance to win one of 10 $50CAD e-gift cards to thank you for your time.

Interested in participating or have questions? 

Follow the link to the study screening questionnaire to see if you can participate:
https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4V20HTRZw8HJTfM 

Or contact Melissa Lazo (Co-Investigator; melilazo@student.ubc.ca) and/or Dr. Thomas Schanding (Principal Investigator; thomas.schanding@ubc.ca)

My name is Paisley Worthington, and I am a doctoral researcher under the supervision of Dr. Patty Douglas at Queen’s University in the Faculty of Education. I am recruiting participants for my doctoral studies and would like to share the attached recruitment poster and linked video (click here to access the video).

The purpose of this research study is to better understand the experiences of autistic graduate students and how they may be better supported. Individuals would be asked to participate on three separate occasions for a total of approximately 4.5 hours over the course of a few months.

This study received ethical approval by Queen’s University General Research Ethics Board (GREB).

As indicated in both the flyer and video, folx are welcome to contact me (20pw@queensu.ca) if they are interested in participating.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Hi!

My name is Alex; I am a 4th-year student at Trent University. In collaboration with the John Howard Society of Ontario and Trent University, we are conducting a research project that looks at neurodivergence within the criminal legal system.

We are looking for participants who have interacted with the criminal legal system and have a perceived neurodivergent diagnosis. Contributors will participate in a Zoom interview (lasting ~30 min), sharing their knowledge and experiences within the criminal legal system.

OR

Individuals who work in the criminal legal system, have experience working with the neurodivergent community, and understand their agency's policies/practice. Contributors will complete a survey (lasting around ~30 mins), sharing their knowledge about and experiences with the neurodivergent community.

If this sounds like something you (or someone else) would be interested in, please sign up using the link provided: https://forms.office.com/r/TXcRj5TpSL

If you have any further questions, please email me at alexhanlan@trentu.ca.

Thank you for your time!
Alex

What is this study about?
Researchers at the University of Calgary want to understand how to adapt mental health supports for neurodivergent family caregivers of people with neurodevelopmental conditions.

Who can participate?
You are eligible to participate if you:
• identify as neurodivergent
• care for a family member with a neurodevelopmental condition
• are 18 years old or older, and
• live in Canada.

What does participation involve?
You will participate in a virtual interview. A researcher will ask questions about your mental health support experiences and support needs. The interview will last approximately 45-60 minutes. All participants will be compensated for their time.

Contact wonderlab@ucalgary.ca to learn more about the study