PARENTS Research Study – Sleep and autism: Treatment barriers and facilitators
Did you know that between 50-70% of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have behavioural sleep problems?
Researchers from the University of Dalhousie are doing an online study to learn about parents’ experiences seeking and using treatment for insomnia in their children with ASD. This study will involve completing online questionnaires and participating in online, regional focus groups. Participation should take no more than 2 hours of your time. The study is being conducted through the IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
If you are a parent of a child aged 4 – 12 who has ASD and behavioural sleep problems (currently or in past), you can help us identify ways to increase families’ access to and uptake of treatment for behavioural sleep problems in children with ASD.
Focus groups will take place on the following dates for parent participants from each region:
* Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) – Mon. May 25th, 2015, 7 – 8:30 p.m. M.D.T.
* Ontario – Tues. May 26th, 2015, 7 – 8:30 p.m. E.D.T.
* Quebec – Wed. May 27th, 2015, 7 – 8:30 p.m. E.D.T.
* Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island) – Thurs. May 28th, 2015, 7 – 8:30 p.m. A.D.T.
* Northern Canada (Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Nunavut) – Fri. May 29th, 2015, 7 – 8:30 p.m. C.D.T.
Eligible participants will be entered into a draw to win a $50 gift card for www.amazon.ca. They will also receive resources on treating sleep problems in kids with ASD, including a video presentation by the research team.
Find out whether you are eligible to participate! They ask that interested parents complete a brief online screening questionnaire. To find out more and to complete the questionnaire, please follow the link directly to the study: http://tinyurl.com/parenteligibility
This study is being conducted by Kim Tan-MacNeill (Dalhousie University) as part of her PhD dissertation research, supervised by Dr. Penny Corkum (Dalhousie University LABS), and Dr. Isabel Smith (IWK Autism Research Centre). If you would like more information, please contact Kim Tan-MacNeill by email at [email protected]