Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP)

This webinar will be recorded. Register to receive an email with a link to the recording.

Two people holding mobile phones. Text says Free webinar. Finding connection online: Autistic adults' experiences of dating, disclosure and safety. Register now.

Curious about Autistic adults’ experiences of online dating – from navigating profiles to disclosure and safety? Join our free webinar on 24 March where researchers and Autistic people will share insights and answer your questions. Register: aspect.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
#AutismResearch #webinar

🏥 🚃 🛒 🏫 If you are an Autistic adult or parent/carer of an Autistic person, please take part in our Australia-wide study exploring the barriers Autistic people face in everyday life.
We are seeking a large number of people for this study, so please share far and wide: lnkd.in/ggTiEhqZ. 🙏

#Autism

ARCAP team – Rachel Rizk, Dr Vicki Gibbs, Dr Ru Ying Cai, Dr Abbey Love and Dr Chris Edwards seated on couch. festive banner and ARCAP logo around outside.

🎄From our team to yours – we wish you a safe & happy festive season. We’re grateful to all of the like-minded individuals & organisations in our network who have stood by the research, shared our values & connected with our work over the past year. We look forward to another busy year in 2026!

Making eye care more inclusive for autistic Australians - new Aspect research highlights practical ways optometrists can adapt their approach - Good Vision For Life New research from Aspect shows how simple changes to communication and pacing can make eye care more inclusive, practical and comfortable.

👀This recent article from Optometry Australia highlights our research findings and offers practical recommendations to help vision professionals make eye care more accessible and comfortable for Autistic Australians.
goodvisionforlife.com.au/2025/12/01/m...
#VisionProfessional #AutismResearch

Three people are posing happily against a light background with abstract peach and coral shapes. The person on the left, with long brown hair and wearing a black top and leopard print pants, is forming a heart shape with their hands. The person in the center, seated in a power wheelchair and wearing a bright red dress, is smiling and gesturing with both hands near their face. The person on the right, wearing a tropical-themed shirt and a watch, is smiling with one hand to their ear and the other on their chest. Text on the left reads: **"Be first in line.** Register now for early access to the FREE resource pack." Text on the right inside a coral shape reads: **"World Autism Understanding Month April 2026"**.

WORLD AUTISM UNDERSTANDING MONTH, APRIL 2026 We’re expanding into a month-long celebration of #Autistic voices, strengths & experiences! Save the date & register now for early access to the FREE resource pack 🙌 www.aspect.org.au/WAUM #autism #autismAwareness #WAUM2026 @arcap-aus.bsky.social

Meet the teen who masks their way through class then collapses at home Hayley masks their struggles so well in dance class that teachers can't tell. But when they get home, they collapse — sometimes missing days of school.

Coinciding with the International Day of People with Disability, this article highlights findings from our research – many Autistic people want to participate in more sport and physical activity, but too often the environments around them make it impossible.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
#IDPwD

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we’re sharing a must-read piece by survivor–advocate Jas Rawlinson.
Dr Vicki Gibbs (@arcap-aus.bsky.social) explains practical steps that can help keep Autistic women and girls safer.
Read here ⬇ www.news.com.au/lifestyle/re...

Podcast host, Madeleine Jaine Lobsey and Dr Abbey Love sitting in a recording studio with cameras in the foreground.

Recording dashboard showing different camera angles featuring Madeleine Jaine Lobsey and Dr Abbey Love.

🤰 Arriving in early 2026! Our upcoming a different brilliant® podcast episode features Dr Abbey Love talking about autistic experiences of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.

Keep an eye out for the release!
#Autism #Neurodiversity #PerinatalCare #Podcast

YouTube video by Aspect Dr Abbey Love wins Autism CRC Award for Achievement (Translation of Autism Research) 2025

🎆We are incredibly proud of Dr Abbey Love and her advisory team who have received this year’s Autism CRC Award for Translation of Autism Research for the project, “The Autistic pregnancy and parenthood hub: translating co-produced research into community impact." www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ8W...

Autism in eye care: A mixed‐methods study of professional knowledge, confidence and clinical experience Purpose Autistic people face significant barriers when accessing healthcare, which contribute to health disparities and unmet needs. While emerging research has described the experiences of autistic.....

Our study of 198 eye care professionals found strong motivation to support Autistic patients but limited autism-specific training. Key barriers: sensory issues, time limits & communication. More training & system support needed. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#AutismFriendly #EyeCare

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

Our research study reveals barriers autistic people face in eye care – from sensory overload to rushed exams – and how professionals want to do better. Key fixes: clear communication, more time, calmer spaces. Read the open access paper: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
#AutismFriendly #EyeCare

Find us at the Asia Pacific Autism Conference 2025, currently underway in WA. Check the program for presentation times for @drchrised.bsky.social, Dr Ru Ying Cai and Dr Abbey Love; visit the @aspectaus.bsky.social booth and take a read of our posters.
#APAC2025 #AutismConference

Is autism a dynamic disability? Help us find out! We are members of a team of Autistic & non-Autistic researchers & community members. We want to hear about Autistic adults’ experiences of adaptive functioning, to help us find out if autism might be a dynamic disability. tinyurl.com/AutisticAF-i...

Thumbnail of A4-size accessible eye care guide for vision professionals.

👀Based on input from nearly 400 Autistic people, families and eye care professionals, we’ve developed a free eye care guide for vision professionals that provides practical, respectful recommendations for making eye care more accessible: aspect.org.au/eye-care-guide.pdf
#AutismFriendly #EyeCare

Eye care for Autistic people How can eye care professionals provide more accessible, inclusive and affirming services for Autistic people?

Eye tests can be overwhelming for Autistic people. Our research shows both Autistic patients and eye care professionals want change. Key solutions:
• Extra time
• Clear, plain communication
• Calmer environments
• Staff trained in autism
Learn more: www.aspect.org.au/our-research...
#EyeCare

Our new study is investigating what helps or hinders Autistic people working in small or medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Australia. Owners & hiring staff from SMBs in Australia are invited to complete a 20-minute survey: tinyurl.com/ARCAPbusiness
Please share with your networks 🙏
#AutismResearch

Beyond the “service cliff”: experiences of an inclusive postschool transition program for autistic youth with intellectual disability Purpose. Autistic youth with intellectual disability (ID) are underrepresented in transition research and services, particularly in programs that prioritize social inclusion, emotional wellbeing and a...

New publication! Researchers found that an inclusive post-school program for Autistic youth with intellectual disability helped build confidence, friendships, independence and wellbeing, highlighting the need for holistic supports beyond just work or training. www.emerald.com/aia/article/... #autism

Are you an Autistic young person aged 12-21, living in Australia? The University of Western Australia is looking for advisors to join their research team that is investigating what supports Autistic teens need when exploring being Autistic and co-develop a resource. uwa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

🤰Did you miss ARCAP's webinar on inclusive perinatal care for Autistic parents? Researchers & a parent shared insights from research studies, key gaps in practice & our new Autistic pregnancy & parenthood hub. The recording is now available on demand: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwqP...
#AutismResearch

Non-heterosexual couple, one pregnant sitting on lounge looking at a mobile phone together. Words of image say "Research study. Experiences of non-birthing partners of Autistic people during pregnancy and early parenthood."

Our new study is investigating the types of support non-birthing partners provided to their Autistic partner during pregnancy & early parenthood, and what this period was like for them. Non-birthing partners of any neurotype – please complete the survey & interview www.aspect.org.au/our-research...

Screenshots of ARCAP Newsletter Edition 17

📢ARCAP's latest newsletter is now available: ⁣createsend.com/t/y-DCD7B6244A8EFBA82540EF23F30FEDED Don't miss out on our news – subscribe to ⁣find out about new studies, research updates, events and more: ⁣aspect.org.au/our-research/subscribe
#ARCAPNewsletter #LatestResearch #AutismResearch

Mother and baby in hospital bed with midwife. Overlaid words read "Towards Inclusive Perinatal Care for Autistic Parents. Free webinar. 20 August 2025, 12-1pm (AEST). Register now.

🤰What can be done to make perinatal care more inclusive of Autistic parents? Find out at our webinar on 20 August, when researchers & an Autistic parent with lived experience will share their expertise & insights. Register now: aspect.org.au/community-ev... This webinar will be recorded. #Autism

Stories of Competence, Challenges, and Coping: The Experiences of Australian Autistic People During Pregnancy and Early Parenthood | Autism in Adulthood Background: Autistic people often face significant challenges in navigating health care systems, particularly during the vulnerable perinatal period. Many report inadequate care, feeling misunderstood...

📢New publication alert! We investigated the perinatal experiences of 19 Australian Autistic people and identified 4 themes:
✅Pregnancy was good for me
🔍Hyperfocus as an understatement
🤷‍♀️Lost in the system
🎆Making things work for me
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...
#AutisticPregnancy #AutismResearch

Autistic employment in small and medium businesses What helps and makes it harder for Autistic people to work in small and medium businesses?

🎆Our new study is investigating what helps or hinders Autistic people working in small or medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Australia. We invite Autistic adults working in SMBs and parents of Autistic individuals working in SMBs to complete a survey and interview: www.aspect.org.au/our-research...

Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Content in Highly Viewed TikTok Videos | Autism in Adulthood Background: Social media allows users to connect with others’ experiences and points of view, with TikTok being the fastest-growing platform worldwide. Highly viewed videos related to neurodiversity o...

📱How are autism and ADHD portrayed in some of TikTok’s most-viewed videos? In this study led by Gail Alvares from The Kids Research Institute, researchers found that most content came from people with lived experience sharing daily challenges, humour & strengths. www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...

Launch of the Aspect Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub, June 2025

Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub project team

Panellists at the Aspect Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub launch

CEO of Aspect, Jacqui Borland with attendees to the Aspect Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub launch

🎉This week we launched the Aspect Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub, a first-of-its-kind online resource co-designed to support Autistic parents & help healthcare professionals provide inclusive, neuroaffirming care.
🔗www.aspect.org.au/new-parents
#Autism #PerinatalCare #Research

An Evaluation of a Whole-School Trauma-Informed Professional Development for Staff in Autism-Specific Educational Settings - School Mental Health This research explored ways in which educators within an autism-specific multi-school education provider in Australia first learned about, and then reflected upon, the relevance of trauma-informed edu...

⚡ Autistic students face higher trauma risks. @aspectaus.bsky.social & Berry Street worked together to bring trauma-informed practices to 9 autism-specific schools. Results? Better trauma literacy, staff attitudes & engagement. Read more: link.springer.com/article/10.1... #TraumaInformedEducation

🔊Final call to join our research study exploring how Autistic adults use dating apps & websites. Study closes Friday 20 June. Your input can help us create resources to support safe & positive online dating for Autistic people. Anonymous 15-min survey: griffithuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Graphic showing a love heart and coins surrounded by three coloured circles with the text – $335 Reframing Autism, $110 Vision Australia, $145 Guide Dogs Australia

🙏Thank you to the Autistic adults, parents/carers and eye care professionals who participated in our eye care research study. @aspectaus.bsky.social has donated to three not-for-profit organisations on your behalf. Stay tuned for the research findings. #ResearchForGood #EyeCare #Autism