Sensory Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorders

I am a researcher at the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc), based at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.  Our team is currently conducting new research to investigate sensory processing (hearing, vision, touch) in Autism Spectrums Disorders (ASD).

As many people with ASD experience significant difficulties in sensory processing (e.g., sensitivity to noises or lights), we are aiming to investigate the cause of these impairments.  Specifically, we are interested in how particular sensations, such as hearing and vision, are processed in individuals with ASD, and how this may relate to the significant social impairments they commonly experience.  This research is funded by Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and has been approved by the ethics committees of Monash University and The Alfred Hospital.

Participants attend two 2-hour sessions at the Alfred, where they complete several tasks assessing hearing and vision, and complete questionnaires and tasks related to their autistic symptoms and sensory experiences.  We are looking for participants aged between 10-60, with a diagnosis of High-Functioning Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome.

We hope that this project will help to improve our understanding of sensory and social impairments in autism and Asperger’s disorder, and in turn assist with both diagnosis and the development of new treatments.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via email (Sara.Arnold@Monash.edu) or by phone on (03) 9076 6592, or Dr. Peter Enticott (Chief Investigator) on (03) 9076 6594 or via email (P.Enticott@alfred.org.au).

fMRI Study at Deakin University

Who is required?  Males 16 years or older with a diagnosis of high functioning autism or Aspergers

What is required?  2 separate days participation Undertake an IQ and developmental assessment, then an fMRI scan at the Austin Hospital, Heidelberg

Benefits to you?  Free IQ assessment and fMRI scan and a $20 itunes voucher

Goal of research?  To identify brain regions (i.e. the mirror neuron system) that may function differently in autistic populations It is hoped this will improve diagnostic clarity of autism spectrum disorders

Who to contact?  Tom Perkins (tperk@deakin.edu.au) or Mark Stokes (mark.stokes@deakin.edu.au)

Following contact and interest in this research, we will mail out an information package

Research into experiences of students with disability in Victorian schools

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is conducting research into the experiences of students with disability in Victorian schools.

This follows an increase in complaints to the Commission relating to disability discrimination in education, and concerns raised by parents of children with disability, disability advocacy groups and members of the Commission's Disability Reference Group about the provision of education services to students with disability.

To read more, or participate in the annonymous online survey, click here

Autism Victoria's List of Research Requests

Autism Victoria, now trading as Amaze, also keeps a list of research projects seeking participants.  You might like to check their list occassionally if you're keen to be involved.

Usually participants are provided with specific information about themselves / their children, and are often the first to receive study findings. And of course, you will be adding to the body of scientific knowledge about all things autism and Aspergers.

Attitudes towards Medication and Aspergers

Are you a care-giver of a child or adult with an Autism Spectrum Disorder?
 
We need your help. We have broadened the scope of our research to ask all care-giver's of individuals with an ASD  (regardless of whether the person you care for takes medication) what they think about the use of medication to manage emotions and behaviours associated with ASD.  
 
In this study, we want to find out what you think about medication: does the person you care for take it – why or why not - and how do you feel about it.  What you have to say is important to discussions about the best treatment alternatives for managing the conditions associated with ASD. Your answers are anonymous, so you can say what you want. It is important that we gain a greater understanding about what you think about medications so that we can make recommendations that may improve practice.

We would very much appreciate you taking the time to complete this survey and to forward this message to other care-givers you may know.  If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire that will take approximately 20 minutes.  Your answers are anonymous, so please say how you really feel on this matter. Thanks to those who have already responded.
 
If you would like to participate in this important study, you can contact me via email for a paper version, or you can go directly to the survey at http://www.deakin.edu.au/psychology/research/autismstudy  (You may need to copy and paste hyperlink into your internet browser). Alternatively I would really appreciate you passing on the details regarding the study to anyone else you know who may be interested in participating.
 
Thank-you very much for considering participating in our study.

Belinda Minett
Candidate Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
Deakin University
221 Burwood Highway
Burwood 3125
Melbourne, Australia
bami@deakin.edu.au