Autism
The Research & Knowledge Exchange on Autism is open to the public; the presentations hosted by this group will be of interest to researchers in neurodiversity, health and community care professionals, Autistic people and their families/caregivers as well as to anyone with an interest in the topic! The Exchange meets regularly to discuss research, review funding opportunities, and explore collaboration in research. The group also provides a forum where students, researchers, policy makers and the general public can meet to discuss program, practice and policy-making related to autism. This Research & Knowledge Exchangewas founded in partnership with Autism Society NL.
Group Conveners
- Dr. Andreae Callanan is autistic, is a writer, and attained her Ph.D. in in English literature at Memorial University in 2023. Her research includes poetry and autism, lived experience of autism and autism memoir, among other areas of exploration into the worlds of neurodiversity and critical disability studies.
- Rachel Hogan manages program development and implementation at the Autism Society of Newfoundland & Labrador
Goals & Objectives
The Research Exchange Group on Autism aims to:
- Create trans-disciplinary research linkages
- Identify gaps in existing research literature
- Work towards developing greater overall capacity to conduct Autism and neurodiversity research
Activities & Presentations
October 9, 2024 12:30PM NT | Bring Out Your Ideas! | Kick-off check in and planning meeting to talk about group objectives and future directions.
November 14, 2024 12:30PM NT |
Neurodiversity in the Classroom: From Accommodation to Collaboration |Presenter: Dr. Andreae Callanan | Dr. Callanan shares material she presented as part of the Memorial University Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) Instructor Series in October. This presentation introduces vocabulary around neurodiversity, and offers insight into some of the challenges and frustrations that neurodivergent learners might experience in the university setting. Dr. Callanan shares some suggestions for instructors interested in embracing the principles of neurodiversity in their course planning and evaluation, and speaks about the benefits of making space for neurodivergent learners (and all learners) to be co-creators in their learning processes. In this presentation, Dr. Callanan draws on her experience as an instructor who has worked closely with neurodivergent learners, as a parent of neurodivergent learners, and as a neurodivergent person who spent many, many years as a university student. | About our Presenter: Andreae Callanan is autistic, is a writer, and attained her Ph.D. in in English literature at Memorial University in 2023. Her research includes poetry and autism, lived experience of autism and autism memoir, among other areas of exploration into the worlds of neurodiversity and critical disability studies. She also works as the Framework Coordinator in Memorial University’s Office of Public Engagement.
December 11, 2024 12:30PM | Neurodiversity, Creativity, and the Arts | A roundtable discussion about creativity among neurodiverse people, the role of neurodiversity as an impetus to being creative and the issues surrounding navigating the worls of artictis practice as an Autistic or neurodivergent person.
Previous Sessions
February 8 2024 at 11:30AM NT | Bridging the Siloes- Autistic Menopause Study| Recent research has indicated that menopause may be an especially tumultuous time for Autistic people. A research team from Canada and the UK is investigating the confluence of Autism and Menopause in their SSHRC-funded “Bridging the Silos” project. Menopause can add to co-existing conditions experienced by many Autistics, such as depression and sleep difficulties, which can send those who experience it spiraling. Bridging the Silos asks, “How do Autistic individuals experience menopause? How can they better access information about menopause? How can Autistic communities engage more meaningfully to guide future research?” https://autisticmenopause.com | Presented by: Dr. Miranda Brady. Associate Professor at Carleton University, Christine A. Jenkins, Independent Autistic Researcher, Dr. Rachel Moseley, Principal Academic in Psychology at Bournemouth University, and Margaret Janse van Rensburg, Ph.D. candidate (Social Work) at Carleton University.
March 6 2024 at 12:30PM NT | Social Circus at ASNL with Danielle Knustgraichen | Social circus is an innovative social intervention approach which uses the circus arts as a tool for fostering the personal and social development of vulnerable individuals. The success of this approach is built on a foundation that respects a strengths-based, individualized approach to instruction and values the importance of community collaboration and strong partnerships. The purpose of social circus programs are to offer people a space to explore creative expression in a way that works for them absent of the barriers that typically present themselves due to societal conventions and social norms. The Physical Art Troupe (PhArT) launched through the Autism Society of Newfoundland is an extension of the Social Circus program developed through Ignite Circus. Danielle Knustgraichen is a hula hooping, fire-eating, clown with a passion for making the world a better place through love and laughter. Creating safe spaces where courage and creativity are encouraged through meaningful human interaction is at the core of her work. Her projects focus on social integration of traditionally excluded populations through collaborations with educators, social workers, and healthcare professionals, in the areas of psychology, occupational therapy, and therapeutic recreation. Developing top-notch recreational and educational programming that teaches 21st century skills, along with physical literacy, science, literature, and numeracy, is an area of special interest in her work.
April 3, 2024 at 12:30PM NT | Dr. Patty Douglas on Re•Storying Autism in Education, a multimedia story making project that brings together Autistic people, family members, educators, practitioners and artists to rethink education in ways that desire the difference of Autism. Autistic students often experience misunderstanding, stigma and violence at school. Our creative research explores new practices to (re)value difference and centre disability justice. | Patty Douglas | BA, BEd, MA, PhD is the Chair in Student Success and Wellness and an Associate Professor of Disability Studies in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University. https://educ.queensu.ca/people/patty-douglas and is also the Director and Principal Investigator of Re•Storying Autism in Education which received a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada | Insight Grant: www.restoryingautism.com
2023
November 15, 2023 at 12:30PM NT | The Intersection of Neurodiversity and Employment | Andrew Dixon is an Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Student (Anthropology, Bioethics, Sociology, and Social Work) at the School of Graduate Studies at Memorial University. Andrew spoke about his Ph.D. research project on the intersection of neurodiversity and employment which he is conducting under the supervision of Dr. Robin Whitaker (Sociology/Anthropology) and Dr. Laura Pacheco (Social Work). The study aims to examine the lived experience of neurodiversity in employees and managers and consists of ethnographic field work in a variety of locations across the province and at the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.
April 11, 2023 at 2:30pm NT | Autism and Music with Kent Godfrey. Kent Godfrey explores whether or not humans can reap the benefits associated with the concept “music” by experiencing tone, rhythm, melody, and harmony through senses in addition to sound. He has been fascinated by disability, the arts, and the senses his entire life. Kent’s education includes a BA in acting from the University of Iowa, a Professional Diploma in dance studies from the Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, an MA in special education from Converse College, a Professional Diploma in clowning from Ringling Bros. Clown College, and post-graduate work in interdisciplinary studies at Washington State University. Additionally, he has performed in a Deaf theatre company, described plays to blind audience members, and developed a system for presenting performances to blind audiences.
December 1 2022 | Dr. Amy Laurent on Autism Level UP! Instead of trying to control the behaviors of Autistic individuals to make them indistinguishable from the general public, Amy Laurent, PhD, OTR/L suggests a positive shift in focus that supports the development of their emotional skills. Dr. Laurent is a developmental psychologist and a registered pediatric occupational therapist specializing in the education of Autistic children and those with related developmental disabilities. The majority of her work involves collaborating with and supporting early intervention teams, school teams, and families. Her consultative services focus on the creation of educational programs and environments that facilitate active engagement and learning at home, in schools, and throughout their communities. Amy is an adjunct faculty member for the Department of Psychology at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI.
November 25 2022 | David Gray Hammond and Tanya Adkin on Autistic Identity and Addictions. David Gray-Hammond (he/him) is a consultant and advocate in the fields of Autistic mental health, well-being, and addictions in the UK. He works as a young person’s mentor for Gecko Community CIO, where he supports neurodivergent young people with trauma and burnout. He is also working with Gecko to set up a project to support young substance users with matters of addiction and criminal exploitation. After overcoming addiction and psychosis himself, David was diagnosed Autistic. Tanya Adkin is an Autism Specialist, trainer and consultant and has worked with vulnerable groups in varying capacities for the past 17 years. Tanya offers a unique and holistic approach as a professional, an Autistic adult and a parent of Autistic children.
October 26 2022 | Empowered Parents: Cultivating Calm, Connected Families with Lisa Pinhorn. Empowered Parents (formerly Feeding Futures) is the brainchild of Holistic Nutritionist & Social Worker Laurie Pinhorn and Holistic Family Interventionist Lisa Pinhorn. Lisa and Laurie redesigned their support/intervention programs to include parental self-care elements, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Polyvagal approaches, therapeutic yoga, and more neuroscience. They met with world leaders like Kristen Neff of The Centre For Self-Compassion and learned from Russ Harris of The Happiness Trap. Lisa supports learners from all over the world to learn about Self-Regulation through The MEHRIT Centre. Empowered Parents supports families in NL on holistic health as a way of treating childhood anxiety, autism, ADHD, OCD and trauma in children. Through research and practice, Lisa and Laurie have created a hands-on, family-focused, child-directed, and motivational approach to therapies.
October 6 2022 | Dr. Gregory Wallace of George Washington U on behavioral and health-related metrics among autistic older adults. Greg Wallace, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at George Washington University. His research focuses on neuropsychological and structural brain development in autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders across the lifespan and their impacts on real-world outcomes. Dr. Wallace has published extensively and presented his work widely on autism and related topics.
September 16 2022 | Dr. B Blair Braden from the Autism and Brain Aging Lab at Arizona State University on neuroscience, the aging brain, and autism. Dr. B. Blair Braden received her doctorate in behavioral neuroscience - psychology from ASU in 2012 and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix. She is an assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences and director of the Autism and Brain Aging Laboratory.
May 6, 2022 | Autism & Employment: The Autism Spectrum Support Team at the Community Employment Collaboration | For autistic people, just as for everyone, career development spans the lifetime. It begins with our first family responsibilities, builds as we engage in our communities, and if we plan it well, translates into meaningful engagement in the workforce. Career development can continue with considerable community contributions following retirement. The Community Employment Collaboration connects a variety of partners interested in working across agencies and departments to build professional practice and find solutions to emerging challenges in employment. This presentation highlighted the work of the CEC’s Autism Spectrum Support Team (ASST) which consists of Career Development Practitioners (CDP) from community, government and post-secondary institutions. | Julia Bloomquist is an independent CDP supporting job seekers to invite more joy, clarity, and purpose in their lives. She also facilitates CEC collaborative teams. |Elayne Greeley is a broker with the Community Employment Collaboration, working collaboratively across organizations, departments and sectors. Elayne shares information, connects practitioners and promotes the work of career development and employment partners.
April 25 2022 |Executive Function and the Autism Spectrum | Nicole Eddy, M.Sc. Student (Experimental Psychology) at Memorial University and Program Facilitator at the Autism Society of NL |Executive Function (EF) involves the neurological processes behind how we organize environmental information, how we plan, and how we direct behaviour. Autistic individuals often experience challenges with executive functioning. Autistic individuals also display a very widespread pattern of mathematical achievement as measured by IQ and are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with a math-based learning disability than the general population. Nicole Eddy has compared the relationship of EF and math performance in an autistic youth sample (research participants were 12-18 years old). The results of this study may have implications for how the academic achievement of autistic individuals is viewed, and possibly inform interventions targeting EF in this population.
February 10, 2022 | How I Learned to Stop Normalling and Love Being Autistic | What happens when we stop viewing Autism as a problem to be solved, and start approaching it from a place of love, admiration, and respect? From her unique vantage point as a neurodivergent scholar, Autism parent, and critical Autism studies researcher in the humanities, Andreae Callanan examines the generative potential of Autistic thinking, sensing, and knowing. Drawing from poetry, memoir, activism, philosophy, stand-up comedy, social media, and disability studies, and reflecting on her own life experiences, Andreae asks: what are the stories we tell about autism? Who do those stories benefit, and who do they hurt? What happens when we shift the narrative away from autistic suffering and toward autistic exuberance, wisdom, pleasure, and joy?
December 6, 2021 | 12:30pm NST | The Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA) with Dr. Jonathan Lai, Executive Director. | CASDA was founded in 2007, shortly after the Senate Committee Report “Pay Now or Pay Later: Autism Families in Crisis” sent a clear message to the Autism community: We need to work together with a unified voice. The founding members of CASDA believed that Canada needed a National Autism Strategy. In 2019, the federal government initiated its work on this strategy and CASDA's role evolved towards working with government and mobilizing experts from across the country. CASDA will play an active part in developing a robust National Autism Strategy that ensures that all Autistic people in Canada have full and equal access to the resources they require to achieve their full potential.
November 22, 2021 at 12:30pm NST | Autism, Parenting, and Critical Disability Studies with Andrew Dixon| In research about autistic adults, there is work being done on sexual health, joining the workforce, and independent living. There is, however, very little research being done to address the next phase of life: parenting. Comprehensive sexual health education states that education requires more than just information about intercourse, STIs, and pregnancy - it must also include support for both unwanted and wanted pregnancy and information that supports parenting. What literature is available about the intersection of parenting and disability typically involves child protection interventions. However, relying on foster care services, grandparents, or other extended family members to fill the gap is a poor substitute for preparedness. Based on cues from the National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities (NRCPD) in the United States, Andrew Dixon spoke about plans for new research to investigate how we support autistic parents.
October 25, 2021| ASD Research: Past, Present, and Future |Kimberly Maich is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at Memorial University. She is also an Ontario Certified Teacher, Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (Doctoral), and Registered Psychologist who focuses her research and clinical practice on issues related to Autism—as often as possible. Dr. Maich discussed numerous research projects, including her work on Canadian perspectives on Autism: housing, case studies, parenting, picture books, sexuality, media representations, social skills …. and the potential to build a Research Centre on Autism for this province.
September 14, 2021| Planning Session for the 2021-2022 academic year.
September 8, 2021 | Tour of the 365 Greenhouse at the Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism/ Autism Society of NL |Together with the Research Exchange Group on Horticultural Therapy, Fall 2021 started with a guided tour (provided by the Autism Society of NL) of the 365 Greenhouse at the Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism at 70 Clinch Crescent in St. John’s. We met the greenhouse team and learned about how the Autism Society Newfoundland Labrador and Iron & Earth East teamed up on the first greenhouse of its kind to be built in this province, among the first net-metering projects to be connected to the provincial grid. The 365 Greenhouse Project showcases renewable energy technologies, highlights issues surrounding food sustainability and serves as a community-building and educational tool. The Greenhouse also benefits Autistic people through the Good Roots Gardening Program and also supports the ASNL’s social enterprise, The Pantry Cafe.
March 22, 2021 | Autism Society-NL (ASNL): Programming Update & Research Potential | Julia Pender, Navigator, on behalf of Sarah White, Manager of Programs and Services at the Autism Society of NL | This presentation provided an update on ASNL’s many programs and services, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that have unfolded as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the switch to virtual services. We also introduced our membership to ASNL’s new Chief Executive Officer, J. Paul Walsh. After the presentation we had a discussion about research potential and opportunities for collaboration among university faculty and student researchers, health system partners, and ASNL. | Link to Presentation |
2020
December 14, 2020 | ASD-Specific Housing Supports Analysis | Dr. Sharon Penney, Dr. Kimberly Maich, and Robyn Cossitt | This presentation discussed the results of a needs assessment conducted in Newfoundland and Labrador that quantifies, frames, and contextualizes the processes and/or problems experienced by Autistic adults accessing housing in NL. The study used a sequential mixed methodology approach, applying quantitative and qualitative methods to determine the current housing situation, gaps in services, and possible solutions. After completing an initial literature review of provincial, Canadian, and international sources, the research team conducted 19 interviews with Autistic adults, caregivers/parents of Autistic adults, and service providers to determine the current needs, barriers and experiences when accessing and maintaining housing. Preliminary findings identified three significant areas of concern: life span development and developmentally appropriate practices; vulnerability and discrimination; and accessibility. This study offered community members the chance to influence the future of supportive housing for Autistic people in NL, hopefully minimizing gaps in services.
October 6, 2020 | Briefing on the Province's New Autism Action Plan | Lisa Baker Worthman, Department of Health and Community Services | Link to Presentation |
November 4, 2020 | Healthy Relationships and Sexuality for Young Autistic Adults | Jennifer Spracklin, registered clinical sexologist provided an overview of an evidence-based program offered by the Autism Society of NL. The presentation covered information about the program and related services. So far, feedback about the program has been overwhelmingly positive. | Link to Presentation |
February 26, 2020 | Canadian Association for Autistic Collaboration, Information Session | Trudy Goold provided information about a new organization in which Autistic people connect with each other, and with researchers and policy makers. | Link to Presentation |
2019
November 12, 2019 | ABA Access: Software to Aid Online Delivery of Applied Behaviour Analysis Therapy | Mark Gauci | ABA Access is a St. John’s-based IT company developing specialized interactive software for the online delivery of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. Its goal is to offer parents of Autistic children the tools to continue therapy under the supervision of a senior therapist when their child’s regular therapist is unavailable. This interactive digital health solution allows children to receive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy without physical interaction with a therapist and to better co-ordinate patient data between therapists.
October 4, 2019 | Parent early detection and intervention of Austism signs in infants at risk | Dr. Maurice Feldman, Dept. of Applied Disability Studies, Brock University and Dr. Rebecca Ward, Phoenix Centre for Learning and Dept. of Applied Disability Studies, Brock University | Drs. Feldman and Ward presented three studies from their ASD lab. The first describes the validation of the Parent Observation of Early Markers Scale (POEMS), a 61-item parent report checklist that tracks the development of at-risk children from birth to 36 months. The second study focuses on the relationship between family history of medical, developmental and psychiatric conditions and POEMS scores in infants at low and high risk for ASD. The third study shows how the POEMS can be used to identify early intervention targets and the effectiveness of parent-mediated early intervention for pre-diagnosed at-risk young children. Taken together, these studies show that the POEMS is a low-cost, valid screening tool that can detect risk of ASD in infants and that parent mediated early intervention may remediate early ASD signs in these children. | Link to Presentation |
September 12, 2019 | The Use of Horticultural Therapy Practices in the Autism Society of NL's Transitions Program | Megan Marshall | The presentation discussed how the Transitions program taps into communicative and social skill issues that people with Autism face by using Horticultural Therapy approaches and how these approaches help teach functional employment skills. | Link to Presentation |
2018
November 8, 2018 | Autism and Entrepreneurship | Gregory Knott | The presentation provided an examination of the effectiveness of self-employment as a model to address the economic isolation experienced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder. | Link to Presentation |
October 4, 2018 | Autism and Sensory Processing: An Overview From Lived Experience | Trudy Goold | Link to Presentation |
March 14, 2018 | Managing the Wait for Autism Spectrum Disorder Services in Newfoundland and Labrador: A Grounded Theory Study | Joanne Smith Young | Link to Presentation
February 7, 2018 | Lessons Learned from Children with ASD at Sassy Tuna Studios | Julie Lewis | Link to Presentation |
2017
October 25, 2017 | The Worktopia Project | Ann MacDougall, Coordinator, Employment Works (Worktopia) | The presentation provided an overview of a new and federally-funded program by EmploymentWorks Canada (EWC) that offers 12 weeks of employment readiness training for young adults on the spectrum who are no longer in school and are seeking opportunities to build employability. | Link to Program Information |
2016
March 29, 2016 | "Journey to the Janeway's Autism Clinic" | Phil Murphy, MSc., Data Consultant/Analyst, Perinatal Program Newfoundland and Labrador | Link to Presentation |
2015
October 8, 2015 | Incidence and Cohort Prevalence for Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador | Dr. Roger Chafe | Link to Presentation|
2014
February 26, 2014 | "Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing Services for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder" | Dr. Rick Audas | Link to Presentation |
2013
November 4, 2013 | Challenges Associated with a Diagnosis of ASD | Dr. Sharon Penney | Link to Presentation |
2012
February 2012 | Improving the Transitioning of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders to Adult Care. | Dr. Roger Chafe | Link to Presentation |