Research Requests
AV regularly receives requests from researchers to advertise opportunities for our community to participate in their research projects.
Each of the research studies listed below are current academic studies researching various aspects of the lives and experiences of individuals within our community.
They include information about the goal of the study, the participant eligibility criteria, what participation involves, and any remuneration or compensation for your time and input.
If you meet the eligibility criteria for any of the below studies and would like to participate, please click the link provided for that study to find out more or to register.
If you would like to know more about any of the studies, please contact the nominated researcher for more information.
Information for researchers
If you are an academic researcher seeking participants for a current study relevant to our community and you would like to advertise your study on our website, we would be happy to assist you with this.
Please complete our research request form.
This form will ask you a series of questions about your study. Our admin team will use your responses to prepare a dot-point summary for upload to our website.
The form will also ask you to upload a PDF of your study's ethics approval. Please note that we cannot upload a study without an ethics approval.
When both of these steps have been completed, our research volunteer will be in contact with you to confirm that we have all of the required information and to advise you of the next steps.
All research requests are being processed by our Engagements Coordinator, which means that it may take a little longer for your study to be uploaded or for you to receive a response.
Studies currently seeking participants
Finding the Lost Years - Autism diagnosed later in life
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This project has two goals: first, to compare early behavioral signs of autism in individuals diagnosed after 8 years of age with those diagnosed before 2.5 years. Second, to examine whether late-diagnosed individuals show similar or different behaviors compared to those diagnosed earlier in life.
University/ Institution/ Faculty conducting this study:
Monash University - School of Educational Psychology & Counselling, Faculty of Education.
Who is eligible to participate?
- Autistic children/adolescents (under 18-years old) diagnosed at 9+ years and their parents/guardians.
- Autistic adults (over 18-years old) diagnosed at 9+ years OR those who self-identify as Autistic.
- Participants of all genders (i.e., girls/women, boys/men, non-binary and gender-diverse)
What does participating involve?
Participants will be asked to
1) Complete online questionnaires.
2) Provide video footage at different age ranges (e.g., between 11-months and 8 years of age).
3) Attend one brief appointment (either online via zoom or face to face) to complete a number of tasks to assess their thinking, reasoning and problem-solving skills.
All participants will receive a $50 gift card.
How will this research help people with Aspergers/Autistic people?
Participation will provide a better understanding of the early signs of Aspergers and/or autism in individuals who receive a later diagnosis. This information will benefit clinical practice, families and schools, and we hope it can be used to assist practitioners with earlier and accurate identification and diagnosis. In turn, this can help Autistic people or people with Aspergers better understand who they are earlier in life that may enhance their mental health and well-being, understanding of self, and connection with others in the neuro-diverse community. In addition, the activities we are conducting might offer some new or up-to-date information to the participant about their skills and abilities, and they will be provided with this feedback in a brief written summary report.
How can I register to participate?
Click this link:
Researcher contact details:
If you want more information, contact Belinda Coldebella
Closing date: 31 October 2025
The Role of Organisational Factors in the Career Development of Employees with Autism
We're a team of researchers at La Trobe University exploring what "career development" means to you and how workplace practices support or hinder the career growth of both autistic and non-autistic employees. We'd love to hear your perspectives and experiences in employment.
University/ Institution/ Faculty conducting the study:
La Trobe University - Bundoora
Who is eligible to participate?
Group 1: Autistic Employees
Group 2: Non-Autistic Employees
Group 3: Manager/Supervisor of Autistic Employee/s
What does participating involve?
The screening survey will take approximately 3 - 5 minutes to complete. Eligible participants may be invited to take part in a follow-up interview (Zoom or in-person), which will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
Participants will be emailed a $50 gift voucher at the end of the interview.
How will this research help people with Aspergers/Autistic people?
This study explores the organisational factors influencing the career development of autistic employees, aiming to shift the focus from mere survival to thriving within organisations. Through lived experiences, it seeks to uncover perceptions of career development, organisational barriers, and effective support mechanisms. By addressing these gaps, the study aims to offer insights for decision-makers to create more inclusive environments that foster sustainable career growth for individuals with autism.
How can I register to participate?
Where can I find further information?
Through the screening survey link above, participants will be able to get more information and register their interest.
Researcher contact details:
Closing date: 30 September 2025
AllPlay Dance Autism: A randomised controlled trial of a community-based dance program for Autistic children
We're running a randomised controlled trial to explore the benefits of community-based dance for Autistic children aged 7–12 and their families. Children will take part in a fun, inclusive 9-week dance program led by dance and disability specialists (free of charge). We are using a waitlist design, so every child who enrols will have the chance to participate in the program
University/ Institution/ Faculty conducting this study:
Monash University and Deakin University
Who is eligible to participate?
We are seeking families with children who:
• Are aged 7–12 years
• Have a formal diagnosis of Autism without an intellectual disability
• Live in Victoria, Australia
What does participating involve?
Children will attend 2 face-to-face sessions to complete thinking and movement tasks pre and post intervention.
Parents would be required to complete 3 online surveys about their child’s abilities and experiences.
Intervention - The AllPlay Dance program consists of 8 weekly 50-minute dance sessions, plus a final 100-minute session, which includes a rehearsal and an informal performance.
These sessions will be conducted at Deakin University Burwood Campus.
How will this research help people with Aspergers/Autistic people?
This research will allow us to determine the benefits of dance for autistic children and families.How can I register to participate?
Interested parties can follow this link: https://redcap.link/AllPlayDanceRCT
Additionally, they can email allplaydance@monash.edu or call (03) 9905 3771.
Researcher contact details:
Mehak Chadha, PHD Candidate: Mehak.Chadha1@monash.edu
Closing date: 29 December 2025
How can we make therapy better for everyone?
Seeking adult’s perspectives on how helpful a range of potential adaptations to therapy would be. We are seeking adults who have accessed psychological therapy to complete this survey. We are recruiting autistic adult and non-autistic adults.
University/ Institution/ Faculty conducting this study:
Griffith University School of Applied Psychology
Miss Akiri Tracy, Miss Angel Faulkner
Who is eligible to participate?
Autistic and non-autistic adults aged 18 or older, live in Australia, and have had therapy in Australia.What does participating involve?
An online 20-30 minute survey. The survey asks questions about previous therapy experiences which may potentially be triggering. The survey provides a list of mental health support services contact details.
Participants are eligible to enter a prize draw to win one of two $50 WISH vouchers.
How will this research help people with Aspergers/Autistic people?
The research will contribute to collating a list of therapy accommodations that are rated as helpful by people with Aspergers or who are autistic. This therapy accommodations tool can be shared amongst therapy clinics where clients can select which therapy accommodations they would like incorporated/respected in their therapy sessions.How can I register to participate?
Interested parties can click HERE
Researcher contact details:
A/Professor Jessica Paynter, j.paynter@griffith.edu.au
Closing date: 08 August 2025
The Lived Experience of Asian Migrant Mothers of Children with Disability in Australia
This study explores the daily lived experiences of mothers of children with disability who migrated from Southeast and East Asia to Australia. We aim to understand how they use their time, the activities they engage in—including beyond caregiving—their thoughts and feelings about these activities, and how these experiences affect their wellbeing.
University/ Institution/ Faculty conducting this study:
School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney
Xinyi Yu, PhD candidate
Who is eligible to participate?
We are looking for people who are;
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Are mothers
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Are aged 18 years old or over
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Have at least one child, aged 0-18 years, with any type of disability
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Migrated from a Southeast or East Asian country.
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Currently live in Australia.
What does participating involve?
Participants will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey, which takes approximately 15 minutes. After completing the questionnaire, they will be invited to indicate whether they are interested in receiving information about a follow-up interview. This is only an expression of interest—not a commitment to participate.
How will this research help people with Aspergers/Autistic people?
This research does not directly improve the lives of people with Asperger’s or those who are autistic. However, mothers are usually primary caregiver for their children with Aspergers or autism. Much research has demonstrated that caregivers’ daily activities are closely linked to their own wellbeing and quality of life—which, in turn, can influence the wellbeing of the children with disability in their care and even the whole family. Thus, a focused investigation into this group could further provide valuable insights for service providers and policymakers, ensuring that support services are culturally responsive and effectively address the specific challenges these migrant mothers face.
How can I register to participate?
Interested parties can click HERE
Researcher contact details:
Xinyi Yu, PhD candidate, xiyu0596@uni.sydney.edu.au
Closing date: 31 July 2026 | We rely on donations and memberships to provide specialised support, advocate for change and fill the gap in the specific services our community needs. |
