Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP)
Our genuine partnership with Autistic people and unique synergy with Australia’s largest workforce of autism specialists enables ARCAP to focus our research on real-world issues affecting Autistic people and their families and accelerate timely solutions.
- 🏥 🚃 🛒 🏫 If you are an Autistic adult or parent/carer of an Autistic person, please take part in our Australia-wide study exploring the barriers Autistic people face in everyday life. We are seeking a large number of people for this study, so please share far and wide: lnkd.in/ggTiEhqZ. 🙏 #Autism
- 🎄From our team to yours – we wish you a safe & happy festive season. We’re grateful to all of the like-minded individuals & organisations in our network who have stood by the research, shared our values & connected with our work over the past year. We look forward to another busy year in 2026!
- 👀This recent article from Optometry Australia highlights our research findings and offers practical recommendations to help vision professionals make eye care more accessible and comfortable for Autistic Australians. goodvisionforlife.com.au/2025/12/01/m... #VisionProfessional #AutismResearch
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- Coinciding with the International Day of People with Disability, this article highlights findings from our research – many Autistic people want to participate in more sport and physical activity, but too often the environments around them make it impossible. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12... #IDPwD
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- 🤰 Arriving in early 2026! Our upcoming a different brilliant® podcast episode features Dr Abbey Love talking about autistic experiences of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Keep an eye out for the release! #Autism #Neurodiversity #PerinatalCare #Podcast
- 🎆We are incredibly proud of Dr Abbey Love and her advisory team who have received this year’s Autism CRC Award for Translation of Autism Research for the project, “The Autistic pregnancy and parenthood hub: translating co-produced research into community impact." www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ8W...
- Our study of 198 eye care professionals found strong motivation to support Autistic patients but limited autism-specific training. Key barriers: sensory issues, time limits & communication. More training & system support needed. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... #AutismFriendly #EyeCare
- Our research study reveals barriers autistic people face in eye care – from sensory overload to rushed exams – and how professionals want to do better. Key fixes: clear communication, more time, calmer spaces. Read the open access paper: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... #AutismFriendly #EyeCare
- Find us at the Asia Pacific Autism Conference 2025, currently underway in WA. Check the program for presentation times for @drchrised.bsky.social, Dr Ru Ying Cai and Dr Abbey Love; visit the @aspectaus.bsky.social booth and take a read of our posters. #APAC2025 #AutismConference
- Is autism a dynamic disability? Help us find out! We are members of a team of Autistic & non-Autistic researchers & community members. We want to hear about Autistic adults’ experiences of adaptive functioning, to help us find out if autism might be a dynamic disability. tinyurl.com/AutisticAF-i...
- 👀Based on input from nearly 400 Autistic people, families and eye care professionals, we’ve developed a free eye care guide for vision professionals that provides practical, respectful recommendations for making eye care more accessible: aspect.org.au/eye-care-guide.pdf #AutismFriendly #EyeCare
- Eye tests can be overwhelming for Autistic people. Our research shows both Autistic patients and eye care professionals want change. Key solutions: • Extra time • Clear, plain communication • Calmer environments • Staff trained in autism Learn more: www.aspect.org.au/our-research... #EyeCare
- 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
- 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
- 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...
- 📢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
- 🤰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
- 📢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
- 🎆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...
- 📱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/...
- 🎉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
- ⚡ 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_...
- 🙏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
- 🚨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
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- ♥️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
- 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👇
- 🚨 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...
- 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...
- 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
- 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
- Happening today. There's still time to register: aspect.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #InclusiveResearch #IntellectualDisability #Autism #Webinar
- Can't make it to Monday's online webinar "Amplifying unheard voices: the inclusion of people with intellectual disability in autism research"? No problem, the webinar will be recorded. Register now & we'll let you know when the recording is available aspect.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #InclusiveResearch
- There's just 1 week left to register at Early Bird rates to attend this online course – "Neurodivergence & Whole-Person Health", developed & presented by @kanabaletti.bsky.social. Tap into Kana's lived and research experience and come away with practical tools to support neurodivergent individuals.
- In recognition of World Autism Understanding Day, we're delighted to bring you the latest ARCAP Newsletter. This issue is brimming with our recent publications, research studies, events & promotions, all contributing to a deeper understanding of autism: createsend.com/t/y-33B52D66... #WAUD2025
- ⭐ New publication! A collaborative approach to adapting measurement scales for Autistic adults. We can't assume scales developed for non-Autistic people will perform the same way for Autistic people. Assumptions like that lead to data that isn't reliable or valid: www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
- 🚨 New publication alert! Our latest paper explores stakeholder insights on a school-based individualised planning intervention. Findings highlight key factors influencing the feasibility of implementing COMPASS in Australian schools. cambridge.org/core/journal... #AutismResearch #AustralianSchools
- This #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek, we're delighted to feature in @OptometryAus series of stories acknowledging those working to make eye care more accessible, affirming & inclusive for Autistic & other neurodivergent Australians: goodvisionforlife.com.au/2025/03/19/n.... #InclusiveOptometry
- We're holding a webinar on the inclusion of people with intellectual disability in autism research. Join researchers Prof Julian Trollor & @drvickigibbs.bsky.social; Autistic advocate, Andrew Radford & parent/Founder of the Centre for Inclusive Supports, Kathy Harris: aspect.org.au/community-ev...
- ARCAP Research Fellow, Dr Abbey Love will present findings and resources from her recent study on the experiences of Autistic individuals during pregnancy and early parenthood at the Doula Conference in Melbourne: www.doulaconference.com.au #Neuroaffirming #Doula #Autistic #Pregnancy
