Studies with Children and Teens
- Examining the Lives of Kids with Severe Developmental Disabilities and their Families
The Great Outcomes for Kids Impacted by Severe Developmental Disabilities project – GO4KIDDS – is a university based research study examining the health, wellbeing and social inclusion of kids with severe developmental disabilities (DD) and the experiences of their families. We are conducting a series of research projects including surveys, interviews, direct observation and case studies.
There are currently two Surveys (a Basic Survey and an Extended Survey) intended for parents of children who have a severe DD. By severe DD, we mean children with an intellectual/developmental disability in the moderate, severe, or profound range. Children may also have been described as having a global developmental delay, developmental handicap, or mental retardation. The survey is not for children with Asperger’s or other high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, or mild or borderline developmental delays. The age range we are studying is school-aged children (approximately age 6 to 18). Both Surveys are available in print or online. If you would like to participate, you can find the Surveys at the following links: GO4KIDDS Basic Survey and GO4KIDDS Extended Survey, or you can also contact us by phone or email to request a paper copy.
Participants who complete both Surveys are eligible to receive an honorarium of $50.
Researchers: Dr. Adrienne Perry, Dr. James Bebko, Dr. Patricia Minnes & Dr. Jonathan Weiss
For more information on the study and for other opportunities for participation, please contact us at 416-736-5662 or toll free at 1-877-233-4337. You can also email us at
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or visit us on our website, www.go4kidds.ca
- Descriptive Interview Study With Parents Exploring Pain Processing In Children With Autism
Parental reports on pain expression by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): We are conducting an interview study with parents of children (aged 3-18 years) with ASD to better understand how their children express discomfort and pain. The interview involves filling out a series of questionnaires that can be completed in 1.5 hours. The interview can be conducted at Bloorview Kids Rehab, the Hospital for Sick Children, or over the phone. For more information please contact Emma Duerden at 416-813-7654 ext 2479 or by email
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.
- Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors in School-Age Children with High Functioning Autism
Does your child engage in one or more of the following?
• frequent cleaning or washing
• repeatedly asking for reassurance
• engaging in daily rituals (e.g., checking the weather)
• counting or checking things
• a need to rearrange or have things "just so"
• a need to complete daily activities, play activities, or schoolwork in a certain way
• resistant to throw things away even if they are no longer of use
If any of these behaviors sound familiar, your child may have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and be eligible for Group Cognitive-Behavior Therapy at no cost! (Ages 7-12 with a diagnosis of Autism or Asperger's)
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy has been shown to be helpful in reducing these behaviors in as many as 85% of children who experience them.
Research has shown that group therapy fosters positive interactions and friendships among children.
Treatment offered at the Geneva Centre For Autism and Brock University.
If you are interested in learning more about the study, please contact Dr. Tricia Vause at 905-688-5550 ext. 3559, or email
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.
To learn more about the study, please click here.
- Young writers thinking about their readers' minds: The development of early literacy
University of Toronto researchers are investigating a newly developed computer-based intervention targeting perspective taking in children with Asperger Syndrome. It is hoped that this program may be used in the future to improve children's ability to consider their readers' perspectives when they engage in writing tasks. Participants between the ages of 7 and 13 who have Asperger Syndrome are currently being recruited. Children participating in the study will be asked to dictate instructions on how to build a figure so that a second researcher in another room can recreate the same figure without having seen it. Children will be asked to participate individually in two sessions (approximately 40 - 45 minutes each) and a short follow-up session (approximately 25 minutes) that will occur 6 weeks following the initial two sessions.
Researchers: Dr. Joan Peskin and Michael Grossman
For more information or to sign up to participate, contact Michael Grossman at
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- Analyzing conversational behaviour in English and French-speaking adolescents with HFA or AS: a cross-linguistic study
Researchers at the University of Toronto are recruiting English and French-speaking adolescents (13-15 years-old) with high-functioning autism or Asperger Syndrome to participate in a brief study pertaining to conversational skills. The primary goal of this research is to examine differences in conversational behaviour between English and French-speaking adolescents with HFA or AS in order to investigate the impact that language has on the development of conversation skills. Participation in the study involves four visits to the University of Toronto. Each of the first two sessions will be completed in approximately 45 minutes, and each of the second two visits will last approximately 1 hour. For their time and effort, all participants will be provided with an honorarium of $40.
Researcher: Marina Marukhnyak
If you are interested and want to learn more, please contact,
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or call (647) 309-8415.
- Social Skills in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Dr. Grace Iarocci and her students at The Autism & Developmental Disorders Lab at Simon Fraser University are recruiting parents of youth who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (including PDD-NOS and Asperger) to participate in an on-line research study pertaining to social skills. Parents of individuals with a diagnosis of ASD who are verbal and between the ages of 11-18 are invited to participate. The primary objective of this research project is to develop and validate a parent rating scale that is capable of assessing individual differences in social competences among children with ASD. The study includes a brief phone interview as well as an online survey (takes approximately 30 minutes to complete). All participants will be provided with an honorarium of $25.
Researcher: Dr. Grace Iarocci
Contact Person: Jodi Yager
Contact: (778) 782-6746 or
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- Bullying and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Researchers at York University are investigating bullying experiences among children and youth diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The purpose of the study is to identify factors that increase or decrease the likelihood of bullying and investigate the impact of bullying on the mental health of children with ASD. The researchers are currently recruiting parents of children and youth with ASD to participate in the study by completing a 30 minute survey. Participants will be entered into a draw for $300.
Researchers: Dr. Jonathan Weiss and Catherine Cappadocia
For more information or to participate online, please visit the following website:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=bZg3nLA_2bQWdW_2bI_2fz_2bbXchw_3d_3d
- Development of Precursory Language Skills, Non-Verbal Communication Skills and Joint Attention for Children with Autism Disorder: A longitudinal Prospective Approach
McGill University's Resilience, Paediatric Psychology, and Neurogenetic Connections team is looking for families with children diagnosed with autism disorder 3-8 years of age. The goal of the study is to help understand the nature of language disorder and nonverbal communication in children with autism. Participation can be completed from the comfort of your own home and involves filling out questionnaires and engaging in play activities with your child. For more information please contact,
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or call (514) 398-5833.
- First Canadian National Early Inventory for Children with Developmental Delays
The purpose of this questionnaire is to survey parents of children with developmental delays from across Canada to determine what they believe to be the critical success factors and current gaps in service delivery.
Parents are being asked to complete a brief questionnaire (available on-line).
Researchers: Ingrid E. Sladeczek, Daniel Amar
Contact: Jennifer Saracino, Primary Research Associate, at
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or at 514-469-0806
- Assessing Treatment Outcomes for Intensive Interventions in Autism
This study is evaluating the effectiveness of Developmental Individualized Relationships-based therapy (DIR)/Floortime for children with autism aged 2-4 years. This therapy will be provided to you for one year at no cost as part of the study. Your child's progress will be evaluated while receiving treatment.
Contact: 416-736-2100 X. 20401 OR www.mehri.ca/intervention
