This webpage lists studies that are currently accepting applications. Click on a green bar below to learn more about the study and how to participate.
Researchers at Precision Medicine in Autism and the University of Alberta are conducting a study on identifying the challenges and opportunities for implementing a standard of care genetic testing for autism and neurodevelopmental conditions.
This study aims to understand the experiences and opinions of people on the autism spectrum, their families, and the physicians who care for them on genetic testing for autism. The goal is to identify barriers to genetic testing and find ways to improve patient care and the healthcare system in Alberta for those on the spectrum.
It will take approximately two hours to complete the study and participants will be asked to complete an online survey with questions about genetic testing for autism. Additionally, some participants may be invited to a follow-up interview to share more in-depth experiences.
University of Alberta has approved this study (REB ID – Pro00145198).
Who is eligible to participate?
- Individuals who have received a formal diagnosis of autism and their families and reside in Alberta
- Physicians who practice in Alberta and care for individuals on the autism spectrum
How can I participate?
If you would like to learn more about the study, please click here.
If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact Dr. Daniel Moreno De Luca or the PRISMA research staff at prisma@ualberta.ca or call (780) 492-4467. Expressions of interest to participate will be accepted until the end of 2025.
Researchers at McMaster University are aiming to co-create a new, neurodiversity-affirming approach to communication support. This study will co-design a Communication Partner Training (CPT) program with Autistic youth, close communication partners (e.g., parents, siblings, close friends), and speech-language pathologists to improve communication with Autistic youth.
The primary aim is to co-develop content and resources to inform a CPT program with Autistic youth and other interested parties. This qualitative descriptive study will include individual interviews, co-design focus groups, and an evaluation of the process. The co-design process will provide Autistic youth, speech-language pathologists, and close communication partners with a novel, strengths-based option for approaching social communication intervention.
This study has been reviewed by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board Project # 19164.
Who is eligible to participate?
- Autistic youth (ages 15-24), speech-language pathologists who work with Autistic youth, and people close to Autistic youth (e.g., parents, siblings, close friends) who live anywhere in Canada.
What does the study include?
- You will be invited to participate in an online interview to learn about your experiences and ideas related to communication.
- The interview will take 30-60 minutes and will take place on Zoom. A few months later, you will be invited to attend two online focus group sessions via Zoom with other Autistic youth, speech-language pathologists, and people close to Autistic youth to co-create strategies, tools, and resources about communication.
- Participants will be compensated for the parts of the study they participate in.
How can I participate?
If you would like to participate or want to learn more, please e-mail the study team at bridge25@mcmaster.ca, or phone 905-525-9140 ext. 22299. Click here for examples of scripts to use when contacting the study team, and a video explaining the study details.
Expressions of interest to participate will be accepted until January 16, 2026.
To view the research poster, click on the image.
A University of Calgary doctoral researcher is inviting Autistic adults to help guide an upcoming dissertation project. The study explores how different types of autism-related language (such as clinical terms, identity-first, person-first, neutral, and neurodiversity-affirming language) shape identity, stigma, and social belonging.
The researcher is currently seeking two Autistic adults with an interest in research to join the project’s research committee. Committee members will help ensure the study is neuro-affirming, respectful, and guided by lived experience. This includes contributing to the development of interview questions and providing input on the study approach.
The role will include providing feedback on interview question development and offering guidance to support inclusive, neuro-affirming practices. If you are interested in shaping research about Autistic identity and language, this is a meaningful opportunity to contribute your expertise and lived experience.
Who is eligible to participate?
- Autistic adults with any level of research interest or experience
How can I participate?
If you would like to participate or want to learn more, please e-mail Brittany Lorentz at brittany.lorentz@ucalgary.ca
Expressions of interest to participate will be accepted until January 30, 2026.
The research team at York University (led by Dr. Jonathan Weiss) is conducting an online study about the positive experiences (flourishing) of visible minority families of Autistic youth and young adults (aged 10-30) living in Canada. They are interested in learning about the positive and negative experiences that shape the well-being of families from visible minority groups who have Autistic youth and young adults.
York REB: #4459.
Who is eligible to participate?
- A caregiver of an Autistic youth or young adult (ages 10-30)
- Identify as part of a visible minority group (i.e. a person of color)
What will I be asked to do?
- Complete an online survey (30-45 minutes) about:
- Your family’s well-being,
- Different factors that shape well-being, both the good and challenging parts,
- How your cultural background relates to your family’s experience living in Canada and,
- What it is like raising an Autistic youth or young adult.
- To thank you for your time, you will have a chance to win a $100 dollar gift card
How can I participate?
If you would like to participate, please fill out the survey.
For more information, please contact Nisha Vashi or Dr. Jonathan Weiss (Principal Investigator) at flourishingfamilies@yorku.ca
Expressions of interest to apply or participate, will be accepted until the end of January 2026.
To view the research poster, click on the image.
Researchers at University of Calgary are seeking volunteers to participate in a research project aimed at exploring the experiences of late-diagnosed Autistic people in job interviews. Autistic people experience much higher rates of underemployment, and job interviews are often one of the biggest obstacles.
Many programs have been created to help Autistic people learn interview skills, but these programs are usually designed without meaningful Autistic input. Because of that, they often teach Autistic people to hide or change their natural ways of communicating in order to seem more “neurotypical.” This is known as social camouflaging, and it can be harmful to Autistic people’s mental health and sense of identity.
This study aims to reorient the research on autism and job interviews such that emphasis is given to exploring the lived experiences of Autistic people.
The University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board has approved this research study (REB22-1575).
Who is eligible to participate?
- Autistic adults with a formal or self-diagnosis, whose diagnosis/discovery occurred in adulthood (18 years of age or older).
- Participated in at least one job interview in the last year, and the interview must have occurred since their autism diagnosis/discovery.
What will I be asked to do?
- You will be asked to complete a short survey, questionnaire, and an hour long interview. Participants will be compensated with a $25.00 gift card.
How can I participate?
If you would like to participate or need more information, please contact Bethany Torraville at bethany.torraville@ucalgary.ca. Expressions of interest to participate will be accepted until April 2026.
To view the research poster, click on the image.
The research team at University of Calgary (led by Dr. Ami Tint) are conducting a virtual study to better understand how they can adapt mental health supports to meet the needs of neurodivergent family caregivers of neurodivergent people. Specifically, they are planning to adapt the Caring for the Caregiver (CC-ACT) program for neurodivergent caregivers and seek your input on how best to achieve this.
This study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board (REB 25-1804).
Who is eligible to participate?
- Family caregivers of people with neurodevelopmental conditions,
- Identify as neurodivergent,
- 18+ years of age,
- Currently reside in Canada.
What will I be asked to do?
- Participate in a virtual interview. As a token of appreciation, you will receive an honorarium for your time, and a chance to improve supports for caregivers like yourself.
How can I participate?
If you would like to participate or need more information, please contact Dr. Ami Tint at wonderlab@ucalgary.ca. Expressions of interest to participate will be accepted until April 2026.
To view the research poster, click on the image.
