Our research program – Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)

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Our research program investigates all aspects of autism practice to support people on the autism spectrum and their families across their lifespan. This includes research into services for diagnosis, childhood intervention, education, transition to adulthood, employment support, community engagement, and ageing.

Aspect has been at the forefront in researching the everyday life experiences and needs of people on the autism spectrum. This research helps to raise awareness, promote discussion and pave the way for improving the services and supports that are essential for a good quality of life.

Current research studies

Self-compassion

Self-guided online self-compassion training program

Can a self-guided online training program build the self-compassion skills of Autistic adults?

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A place of my own

What are the barriers and enablers to independent living for Autistic adults in Australia?

Teachers and children in school classroom

School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)

How can we measure the effectiveness of SWPBS in Australian autism-specific schools? How is SWPBS being used in schools? How effective is SWPBS use in Australian autism-specific schools?

Lived experience of twice-exceptional adults

How can educational programs support both the development of gifts and/or exceptional talents and the challenges faced by Autistic twice-exceptional students?

Australian police

International study of the criminal justice system

How can interactions between autistic individuals and the criminal justice system be improved? What policy and practice changes should be made to better support autistic people who come into contact with the criminal justice system?

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Disclosure experiences of Autistic adults

What happens when an individual discloses they are Autistic? How can this information help individuals make informed decisions about their own disclosure?

Emotional-skills

Emotion based social skills training in schools

We’re working with the Children’s Hospital Westmead to find out if a program of emotion-based social skills training for children on the autism spectrum and their parents works if it’s delivered by teachers in Aspect’s specialist autism schools.

Aspect research that is already making a difference

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Aspect Research Priorities

Working in partnership with Autistic people and their families/carers and Aspect practitioners, we will set ARCAP’s future program of research to ensure it is relevant, respectful and positively impacts the lives of people on the spectrum.

Collaborative model

Collaborative Model for Promoting Competence and Success for Students (COMPASS)

What is the impact of COMPASS on teacher practice and outcomes for students on the autism spectrum at Australian schools?

Self-compassion

Self-compassion and mental health

Is developing self-compassion relevant and important for Autistic individuals to improve mental health?

Distance education

Perspectives of distance education

What are the experiences of students, parents and teachers involved in the Aspect Distance Education Program? Are there ways that the Program can be improved?

TelePBS

Positive behaviour support delivered by telepractice (tele-PBS)

What service model allows tele-PBS to be delivered effectively to autistic people, and their families and support teams living in rural and remote areas?

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Diagnostic assessments for autism using telehealth

Is telehealth suitable for conducting autism assessments? Should Aspect continue to offer a telehealth assessment service after the COVID-19 pandemic?

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Perceptions of exceptional skills in children with autism

To support Autistic students make the most of their exceptional abilities, teachers need a good understanding of these abilities, and how to identify them.

Inclusive banking

Financial experiences in Australia

What makes it easier and what makes it more difficult for autistic adults living in Australia to access financial services? What can banks and financial institutions do provide an autism-friendly customer experience?

remotelearning

Remote learning using Google Classroom

Google Classroom was the primary tool used in Aspect schools to support remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Is Google Classroom effective for remote learning?

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Experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 (coronavirus) is causing major disruption across the world. What have autistic people found difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Police

Interactions between autistic people and police

This research has led to the development of an autism training module that is now part of recruit training with ACT Police. Other law enforcement organisations are currently reviewing the module.

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Nippers and Inclusive Beaches

This research is now helping surf lifesaving clubs across Australia to run autism-friendly physical activity sessions for children on the autism spectrum.

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Shopping for shoes

This research is helping a national shoe retailer provide an autism-friendly shopping experience for children on the autism spectrum and their families.

remotelearning

Home education

This research is helping Aspect develop services and resources to support families who are educating their children on the spectrum at home.

Teletherapy

Autism Teletherapy for remote locations

Based on this research, Aspect’s new Teletherapy services are removing the burden and cost of travel for families and local support teams in rural and remote locations, giving them easy access to much-needed autism services.

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We Belong & We Belong Too

This ongoing Aspect research series enables people on the autism spectrum to have their say about the awareness, services and support they need to achieve their goals and aspirations, and informs the development of Aspect’s services.

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Text messaging to support fathers

Could text messaging be an effective way for autism services to engage with fathers of children on the autism spectrum?

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