Past research projects

Exploring the Experiences of Neurodivergent Adults in Accessing and Engaging with Mental Health Support Service

This research investigates how autistic and ADHD adults experience mental health support services through open-ended, participant-led narratives. Co-designed with a Community Advisory Board of autistic and ADHD individuals, and the neurodivergent principal investigator, it seeks to identify service gaps and improve accessibility.

Participation involves a 10–20 minute online survey, with accessible alternatives available (including an AI conversational interface, telephone, video call, or audio-assisted options).

University of South Australia

This Research opportunity has now closed.
Click here to view the flyer.
Survey Link Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

Exploring the Experiences of Neurodivergent Adults in Accessing and Engaging with Mental Health Support Service (Caregiver perspectives)

The study aims to understand the experiences of neurodivergent adults (those who identify as autistic and/or ADHD) when accessing and engaging with mental health support services. The research is to investigate insights of caregivers on the accessibility and engagement of neurodivergent adults who they care for in mental health support services.

University of South Australia

Click here to view the flyer.
This Research opportunity has now closed.
To learn more contact michelle.emery@mymail.unisa.edu.au.

Partners in Parenting (PiP) Kids – Autism: Are you concerned about the mental health of your autistic child?

Monash University

Click here to view the flyer and learn more about participating in this parenting program study.
This Research opportunity has now closed.

Children Receiving an Autistic Diagnosis in South Australia: Promoting Equitable Access – A Qualitative and Quantitative Review

This research explores the experiences of South Australian families navigating diagnosis for autistic children aged 2–6. It examines awareness and engagement with new state initiatives aimed at improving access and equity. The study will gather both qualitative and quantitative data from 50 caregivers over 1–2 months.

Flinders University

This Research opportunity has now closed. Read more about this study here.

Parental Acceptance and Understanding of Autistic Children

The University of Queensland

The use of off-the-shelf game, Minecraft® to promote social collaboration skills in autistic pre-teens: A pilot study was a joint research project between Adelaide University and Autism SA commencing in October 2022. 12 participants were involved, attending either face-to-face or online groups, either high intensity- over two weeks, or low intensity- over eight weeks. Two facilitators from Autism SA lead the program; Josh Collins and Jordan Eve Hefferan. Participants and families have shared positive experiences, stating they formed friendships though the project.

The University of Adelaide and Autism SA

Jan-24

The LEGO® ROBOTICS Guide: A guide to facilitating LEGO®

Robotics sessions for autistic teens

Flinders University and Griffiths University

Dec-23

How do autism assistance dogs influence children with Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families?

The University of Adelaide

Does repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), compared to sham rTMS, improve social communication in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?

The University of Adelaide

Understanding camouflaging/masking in autistic adults

University of Western Australia School of Psychological Science

A random and controlled trial of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for insomnia in autistic children

Flinders University

The phenomenology of echolalia: Implications for cross environmental policy and practice – the perspectives of parents and caregivers

Echolalia as an expression of neurodiversity 

Echolalia as defined by parent communication partners 

Mapping the parent experience of echolalia

University of Melbourne

Autism and Experiences with the Police

Murdoch University, WA

Jan-20

Are Positive Behaviour Support plans (PBS) accessible and useful for non-specialised support people.

Flinders University
South Australia

Oct-19

Use and Effectiveness of the Smiling Mind Smartphone Application for Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Caregivers

The University of Adelaide

Oct-19

Research Forum

Autism SA

Nov-18

Evaluation of the Autism SA Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Group

The University of Adelaide

Sep-18

Exploring experiences of friendship in girls and young women with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

The University of Adelaide

Aug-18

“How was your day?”: Home conversations about their school day in children with ASD

University of Melbourne, Victoria
OTARC / La Trobe University, Victoria
Griffith University, QLD
University of Queensland, QLD
Autism QLD, QLD

Jun-18

Development and Evaluation of an Autonomous, Virtual Agent Based Social Skills Tutor for Children with Autism

Flinders University

Mar-18

iMSocialTM at School

The University of Adelaide (SA)

Dec-16

Friendship experiences of primary school age girls with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parents’ and teachers’ perspectives

The University of Adelaide

Oct-16

Parental stress in families with a typically developing child and child diagnosed with ASD: Influences of gender and birth order

La Trobe University

Aug-16

Resilience in families raising a child with a neurodevelopmental disability 

University of Adelaide

Aug-16

Caruso – The impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder on parents and families: An investigation into parenting stress, self-efficacy, parental identity and use of social support

University of Adelaide

Oct-15

The Effect of Brain Stimulation on Social Abilities in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Flinders University

Oct-15

Adolescent girls with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: presentation, challenges and support needs in the mainstream education system

Flinders University

Jan-15

The Efficacy of Models for Educational Service Delivery for Students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

Visual Summary

Macquarie University

Dec-14

Pilot study of a Parent Education Package for ASD Intervention Decision-Making

Macquarie University (NSW)

Nov-14

Adolescents with Asperger’s Disorder and high functioning autism: experiences, needs and service requirements

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)

Mar-14

Factors Affecting Social Skill Maintenance Following a Group-Based Video Modelling Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

University of Adelaide

Oct-13

Early development concerns for females with late-diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder

Flinders University

Jun-13

Investigating eye movement in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Flinders University

Feb-12

Exclusion of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders from mainstream schooling: effects of the Disability Standards

Flinders University

Dec-11

Measuring the participation of children and adolescents in everyday activities

University of South Australia

Oct-11

 The effects of the Disability Standards for Education on the Exclusion of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders From Mainstream Schooling

Flinders University

Jul-11

The development of infants with an increased risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Flinders University

Jun-10

Time demands of caring for children with autism : what are the implications for maternal mental health

University of Adelaide

May-10

Nutrigenomic investigation of the molecular and metabolic determinants of autism with respect to the folate/methionine pathway

Autism Research Group, Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, CSIRO Division of Human Nutrition

Apr-10

The effect of animated social stories on emotion recognition and social functioning in children with pervasive developmental disorders

Flinders University

Mar-10

Autonomous virtual agents as social skills tutors for children with autistic spectrum disorders

Flinders University

Feb-10

Employment and adults with Asperger syndrome: a phenomenological study which explores the employment experiences of eight adults with Asperger syndrome.

University of South Australia

Dec-09

Investigating the relationship between quality of life and career development of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Flinders University Business School

May-09

Face recognition and metacognitive monitoring in individuals with autism spectrum disorders

Flinders University

Sep-07

Information needs of caregivers surrounding autism and complementary and alternative medicines and dietary interventions

University of South Australia

Sep-07

Autism and immunisation: sifting myth from reality

University of South Australia

Sep-06

Complementary and alternative medicines and dietary interventions in autism: a call for action

University of South Australia

Sep-06

Complementary medicines and autism: a survey and literature review

University of South Australia

Sep-06

Developing a laboratory test to diagnose and subtype autism using metabonomics

University of South Australia and Flinders University

Sep-06