Research Summaries from York University
The ASD Mental Health website is sponsored by Jonathan Weiss, Chair in Autism Spectrum Disorders Treatment and Care Research at York University (who will be speaking for ACT on October 23, 2015. The site goal is to share research regarding mental health and autism. It has research summaries of studies published by a range of journals. These summaries are one to two pages long, and make the science more accessible to a wider audience. Access this site via the ACT Information Database.
Funding for Online Mental Health Training Program for Professionals
The BC Government has announced that ACT – Autism Community Training is being funded to develop an online training program to help qualified health professionals to better recognize the mental-health challenges that often impact children and youth with autism.
ACT is looking forward to working closely with the professional community to develop this training program in response to the high level of need for mental health services that families and individuals with autism report to us. We will be reporting to the autism community on progress as the project takes shape.
Free Report on Autism Interventions
The U.S. National Autism Center has released the results of the largest systematic review to date of interventions for ASD. The report identifies effective, research-based interventions for individuals across the lifespan. The findings identify 14 “Established Interventions” for children and adolescents that have the most research support, produce beneficial outcomes, and are known to be effective. Find the report in the ACT Information Database.
Research Study on Sleep and Autism Seeks Participants
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]
2 job postings at ACT: Punjabi speaking Information Officer and Library Assistant
Job Posting – Information Officer with Knowledge of the South Asian Community
ACT Information Officers provide information, support and referral services to families raising children with ASD. This position is based in our Burnaby office and involves developing autism awareness and outreach to the South Asian community. Strong spoken Punjabi language skills and a knowledge of autism are requirements for this position. This contract position is 30-35 hours per week to the end of 2015, with the possibility of an extension. This position is funded through a grant from Autism Speaks Canada. If you have any questions, or to request a job description, contact [email protected]. To apply, send your resume and cover letter [email protected] with “ACT Information Officer” in the subject line, before end of day, May 19th, 2015.
Job posting for Library Assistant
The library assistant will be updating and cataloguing information and community records based on established evaluation criteria for ACT’s web-based Autism Information Database (AID). This position requires an individual with good technical and writing skills. This position would suit a full time student in a library and information studies program. Coursework in internet searching and database management would be an asset. This position is funded through HRSDC Summer Canada Works grant. Applicants must be under 30 years and returning to full time studies in September. The schedule is negotiable; up to 30 hours weekly during ACT’s office hours at the our Burnaby office for a total of 240 hours. Interested applications should send a cover letter and current resume to[email protected] with “Library Assistant” in the subject line. Application deadline is May 15, 2015.