Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP)

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

Autism guide for police officers This free guide offers practical strategies to improve communication, recognise signs of autism, and ensure respectful, safe and effective engagement.

🚨We have released a free 12-page guide for Australian police to support their interactions with Autistic people. It provides practical strategies to improve communication, recognise signs of autism, & promote safe & effective engagement with Autistic people. www.aspect.org.au/police-guide
#Police

What Autistic People Want From Autism Research: AutINSAR 2025 AutINSAR is a much-needed discussion between autistic people and autism researchers about priorities in autism research.

In case you missed it: #AutINSAR is a much-needed discussion between autistic people, autism researchers, family members, and professionals about priorities in autism research. This year it happened during #INSAR2025. Recap at TPGA:

thinkingautismguide.com/2025/05/what... #autism #neurodiversity

Female and male hands each holding a phone displaying a dating app. Banner words: Research Study. Exploring online dating among Autistic adults.

♥️Seeking Autistic adults worldwide to share their experiences using dating apps. Complete an anonymous 15-min survey and @aspectaus.bsky.social will donate $2 to your choice of three charities. griffithuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... #AutismResearch #DatingApp

📚 Unheard Voices: A Systematic Literature Review of Studies Using Self-Report Methods to Gather the Perspectives of Autistic Adults with Intellectual Disability: www.aspect.org.au/uploads/docu...

✅ Autistic-Led Assessments of Australian Airports Using an Autism-Friendly Framework: www.aspect.org.au/uploads/docu...

✈️ Exploring Autism-Friendly Initiatives in Australian Airports: Insights from Autistic Travelers and Families: www.aspect.org.au/uploads/docu...

👩‍👦 Experiences of Pregnancy and Early Parenthood Among Autistic People in Australia: www.aspect.org.au/uploads/docu...

♥️ Does self-compassion moderate the relationships between loneliness and depressive symptoms in a global sample of Autistic and non-Autistic adults?: www.aspect.org.au/uploads/docu...

Dr Abbey Love and Dr Ru Ying Cai at INSAR 2025 Annual Meeting poster session

Dr Abbey Love standing in front of her INSAR poster on experiences of pregnancy and early parenthood among Autistic people

Dr Ru Ying Cai standing in front of her INSAR poster tilted "Does self-compassion moderate the relationships between loneliness and depressive symptoms in a global sample of Autistic and non-Autistic adults?"

ARCAP Research Fellows, Dr Ru Ying Cai and Dr Abbey Love are among more than 2,300 autism researchers, clinicians, advocates and students from 53 countries attending the #INSAR2025 Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington USA. ARCAP is presenting five posters. View the posters, below👇

Successful Applicants Announced – Phase 2 of the National CVE Research Project — AVERT Research Network We are pleased to announce the successful applicants for Phase 2 of the National Research Project, Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) research that supports policy and practice in Australia, funded by...

🚨 Exciting news! Our project to evaluate an autism & Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Community of Practice has been selected for Phase 2 of the National CVE Research Project, funded by the Australian Department of Home Affairs & supported by @AVERT. www.avert.net.au/impact/succe...
#CVE #Autism

Our new study is investigating how Autistic adults use dating apps and websites. We invite Autistic adults who have used an app or website to try and meet a romantic or intimate partner to share their experiences. Complete the anonymous 15-min survey: griffithuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

📢Just published & open access – our study, led by @drchrised.bsky.social, explored how newly diagnosed autistic adults engaged with the "Welcome Pack". We found self-guided, neuro-affirming resources can foster connection, self-understanding & emotional processing. doi.org/10.1177/1362...

YouTube video by Aspect ARCAP Webinar – The inclusion of people with intellectual disability in autism research

The recording of our webinar on inclusion of people with intellectual disability in autism research is out now. Hear from Prof Julian Trollor (NCEIDH), @drvickigibbs.bsky.social (ARCAP), Andrew Radford (advocate) & Kathy Harris (parent/Centre for Inclusive Supports): www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtqG...

Andrew Radford discusses the involvement of Autistic people with intellectual disability in research.

Kathy Harris discusses the involvement of Autistic people with intellectual disability in research.

Final presentation in today's webinar – Thank you to autism advocate, Andrew Radford & parent/Founder of the Centre for Inclusive Supports, Kathy Harris for sharing their lived experiences on the inclusion of people with intellectual disability in research. #InclusiveResearch

@drvickigibbs.bsky.social highlights the underrepresentation of Autistic adults with intellectual disability in research. Systematic review finds just 14 studies using self-report, few measures validated or co-produced. Research paper: www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/... #InclusiveResearch

Screenshot of Julian Trollor's presentation including a woman with intellectual disability talking about the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health.

ARCAP's webinar, "Amplifying unheard voices" is underway. First up, Scientia Professor Julian Trollor talks about the health gaps for people with intellectual & developmental disabilities, & the work of the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health. #InclusiveResearch