Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP)
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arcap-aus.bsky.social
Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP)
@arcap-aus.bsky.social
Our genuine partnership with Autistic people and unique synergy with Australia’s largest workforce of autism specialists enables ARCAP to focus our research on real-world issues affecting Autistic people and their families and accelerate timely solutions.
🤰 Arriving in early 2026! Our upcoming a different brilliant® podcast episode features Dr Abbey Love talking about autistic experiences of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.

Keep an eye out for the release!
#Autism #Neurodiversity #PerinatalCare #Podcast
November 20, 2025 at 9:07 PM
🎆We are incredibly proud of Dr Abbey Love and her advisory team who have received this year’s Autism CRC Award for Translation of Autism Research for the project, “The Autistic pregnancy and parenthood hub: translating co-produced research into community impact." www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ8W...
Dr Abbey Love wins Autism CRC Award for Achievement (Translation of Autism Research) 2025
YouTube video by Aspect
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Our study of 198 eye care professionals found strong motivation to support Autistic patients but limited autism-specific training. Key barriers: sensory issues, time limits & communication. More training & system support needed. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#AutismFriendly #EyeCare
Autism in eye care: A mixed‐methods study of professional knowledge, confidence and clinical experience
Purpose Autistic people face significant barriers when accessing healthcare, which contribute to health disparities and unmet needs. While emerging research has described the experiences of autistic.....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Our research study reveals barriers autistic people face in eye care – from sensory overload to rushed exams – and how professionals want to do better. Key fixes: clear communication, more time, calmer spaces. Read the open access paper: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
#AutismFriendly #EyeCare
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Find us at the Asia Pacific Autism Conference 2025, currently underway in WA. Check the program for presentation times for @drchrised.bsky.social, Dr Ru Ying Cai and Dr Abbey Love; visit the @aspectaus.bsky.social booth and take a read of our posters.
#APAC2025 #AutismConference
November 12, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Is autism a dynamic disability? Help us find out! We are members of a team of Autistic & non-Autistic researchers & community members. We want to hear about Autistic adults’ experiences of adaptive functioning, to help us find out if autism might be a dynamic disability. tinyurl.com/AutisticAF-i...
November 6, 2025 at 3:06 AM
👀Based on input from nearly 400 Autistic people, families and eye care professionals, we’ve developed a free eye care guide for vision professionals that provides practical, respectful recommendations for making eye care more accessible: aspect.org.au/eye-care-guide.pdf
#AutismFriendly #EyeCare
November 6, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Eye tests can be overwhelming for Autistic people. Our research shows both Autistic patients and eye care professionals want change. Key solutions:
• Extra time
• Clear, plain communication
• Calmer environments
• Staff trained in autism
Learn more: www.aspect.org.au/our-research...
#EyeCare
Eye care for Autistic people
How can eye care professionals provide more accessible, inclusive and affirming services for Autistic people?
www.aspect.org.au
November 5, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Our new study is investigating what helps or hinders Autistic people working in small or medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Australia. Owners & hiring staff from SMBs in Australia are invited to complete a 20-minute survey: tinyurl.com/ARCAPbusiness
Please share with your networks 🙏
#AutismResearch
September 19, 2025 at 2:12 AM
New publication! Researchers found that an inclusive post-school program for Autistic youth with intellectual disability helped build confidence, friendships, independence and wellbeing, highlighting the need for holistic supports beyond just work or training. www.emerald.com/aia/article/... #autism
Beyond the “service cliff”: experiences of an inclusive postschool transition program for autistic youth with intellectual disability
Purpose. Autistic youth with intellectual disability (ID) are underrepresented in transition research and services, particularly in programs that prioritize social inclusion, emotional wellbeing and a...
www.emerald.com
September 17, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Are you an Autistic young person aged 12-21, living in Australia? The University of Western Australia is looking for advisors to join their research team that is investigating what supports Autistic teens need when exploring being Autistic and co-develop a resource. uwa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
September 10, 2025 at 1:24 AM
🤰Did you miss ARCAP's webinar on inclusive perinatal care for Autistic parents? Researchers & a parent shared insights from research studies, key gaps in practice & our new Autistic pregnancy & parenthood hub. The recording is now available on demand: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwqP...
#AutismResearch
August 25, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Our new study is investigating the types of support non-birthing partners provided to their Autistic partner during pregnancy & early parenthood, and what this period was like for them. Non-birthing partners of any neurotype – please complete the survey & interview www.aspect.org.au/our-research...
August 21, 2025 at 6:22 AM
📢ARCAP's latest newsletter is now available: ⁣createsend.com/t/y-DCD7B6244A8EFBA82540EF23F30FEDED Don't miss out on our news – subscribe to ⁣find out about new studies, research updates, events and more: ⁣aspect.org.au/our-research/subscribe
#ARCAPNewsletter #LatestResearch #AutismResearch
August 13, 2025 at 12:36 AM
🤰What can be done to make perinatal care more inclusive of Autistic parents? Find out at our webinar on 20 August, when researchers & an Autistic parent with lived experience will share their expertise & insights. Register now: aspect.org.au/community-ev... This webinar will be recorded. #Autism
July 31, 2025 at 5:55 AM
📢New publication alert! We investigated the perinatal experiences of 19 Australian Autistic people and identified 4 themes:
✅Pregnancy was good for me
🔍Hyperfocus as an understatement
🤷‍♀️Lost in the system
🎆Making things work for me
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...
#AutisticPregnancy #AutismResearch
Stories of Competence, Challenges, and Coping: The Experiences of Australian Autistic People During Pregnancy and Early Parenthood | Autism in Adulthood
Background: Autistic people often face significant challenges in navigating health care systems, particularly during the vulnerable perinatal period. Many report inadequate care, feeling misunderstood...
www.liebertpub.com
July 20, 2025 at 11:40 PM
🎆Our new study is investigating what helps or hinders Autistic people working in small or medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Australia. We invite Autistic adults working in SMBs and parents of Autistic individuals working in SMBs to complete a survey and interview: www.aspect.org.au/our-research...
Autistic employment in small and medium businesses
What helps and makes it harder for Autistic people to work in small and medium businesses?
www.aspect.org.au
July 6, 2025 at 11:14 PM
📱How are autism and ADHD portrayed in some of TikTok’s most-viewed videos? In this study led by Gail Alvares from The Kids Research Institute, researchers found that most content came from people with lived experience sharing daily challenges, humour & strengths. www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Content in Highly Viewed TikTok Videos | Autism in Adulthood
Background: Social media allows users to connect with others’ experiences and points of view, with TikTok being the fastest-growing platform worldwide. Highly viewed videos related to neurodiversity o...
www.liebertpub.com
July 2, 2025 at 2:14 AM
🎉This week we launched the Aspect Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub, a first-of-its-kind online resource co-designed to support Autistic parents & help healthcare professionals provide inclusive, neuroaffirming care.
🔗www.aspect.org.au/new-parents
#Autism #PerinatalCare #Research
June 27, 2025 at 6:15 AM
⚡ Autistic students face higher trauma risks. @aspectaus.bsky.social & Berry Street worked together to bring trauma-informed practices to 9 autism-specific schools. Results? Better trauma literacy, staff attitudes & engagement. Read more: link.springer.com/article/10.1... #TraumaInformedEducation
An Evaluation of a Whole-School Trauma-Informed Professional Development for Staff in Autism-Specific Educational Settings - School Mental Health
This research explored ways in which educators within an autism-specific multi-school education provider in Australia first learned about, and then reflected upon, the relevance of trauma-informed edu...
link.springer.com
June 18, 2025 at 10:05 AM
🔊Final call to join our research study exploring how Autistic adults use dating apps & websites. Study closes Friday 20 June. Your input can help us create resources to support safe & positive online dating for Autistic people. Anonymous 15-min survey: griffithuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
June 16, 2025 at 12:14 AM
🙏Thank you to the Autistic adults, parents/carers and eye care professionals who participated in our eye care research study. @aspectaus.bsky.social has donated to three not-for-profit organisations on your behalf. Stay tuned for the research findings. #ResearchForGood #EyeCare #Autism
June 12, 2025 at 6:38 AM
🚨We have released a free 12-page guide for Australian police to support their interactions with Autistic people. It provides practical strategies to improve communication, recognise signs of autism, & promote safe & effective engagement with Autistic people. www.aspect.org.au/police-guide
#Police
Autism guide for police officers
This free guide offers practical strategies to improve communication, recognise signs of autism, and ensure respectful, safe and effective engagement.
www.aspect.org.au
May 29, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Reposted by Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP)
In case you missed it: #AutINSAR is a much-needed discussion between autistic people, autism researchers, family members, and professionals about priorities in autism research. This year it happened during #INSAR2025. Recap at TPGA:

thinkingautismguide.com/2025/05/what... #autism #neurodiversity
What Autistic People Want From Autism Research: AutINSAR 2025
AutINSAR is a much-needed discussion between autistic people and autism researchers about priorities in autism research.
thinkingautismguide.com
May 25, 2025 at 8:39 PM
♥️Seeking Autistic adults worldwide to share their experiences using dating apps. Complete an anonymous 15-min survey and @aspectaus.bsky.social will donate $2 to your choice of three charities. griffithuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... #AutismResearch #DatingApp
May 14, 2025 at 11:10 AM