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.

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 25^th, 2015, 7 – 8:30 p.m. M.D.T.
*     Ontario – Tues. May 26^th, 2015, 7 – 8:30 p.m. E.D.T.
*     Quebec – Wed. May 27^th, 2015, 7 – 8:30 p.m. E.D.T.
*     Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island) – Thurs. May 28^th, 2015, 7 – 8:30 p.m. A.D.T.
*     Northern Canada (Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Nunavut) – Fri. May 29^th, 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]

A Simon Fraser University graduate student is seeking parents of a child with autism who has started kindergarten in the past few years. Participants will be asked to do a 60-90 minute interview to share their transition story. Please contact Lisa Ludvigsen at [email protected] or 604-928-5472.

Professor William McKellin, Department of Anthropology UBC, is looking for parents who have a child with autism to participate in interviews led by students in medical anthropology.  The interviews will focus on the impact of genetic and chronic illness on individuals and  their families.  Interviews will be done in the homes of the participants between October 10^th and November 15^th and should be 1 to 1½ hours.  Interviews will cover such topics as individuals’ basic biographies, their experience of the condition, how it has affected their family and social life, and their experiences with health professionals, medical institutions, and service agencies.  Students will maintain interviewee’s confidentiality by using pseudonyms.  If interested please contact Professor Bill McKellin: (604) 882-2756 or email at [email protected]