Research & advocacy at AQ
At Autism Queensland (AQ), we are committed to advancing understanding, improving outcomes, and advocating for the rights, inclusion, and meaningful participation of autistic people through evidence-informed practice, research, and collaboration.
Our past and present research and advocacy projects and collaborations help inform evidence-based practice, strengthen advocacy, and drive positive change for autistic people. Our research explores areas including education, sensory processing, clinical practice, professional development, and service evaluation.
Through partnerships with national and state organisations, including the Australian Advisory Board on Autism, Australian Autism Alliance, Queensland Disability Advisory Council, Autism CRC and Autism Hub, we have a commitment to contribute to research, initiatives, and advocacy that reflect the experiences and priorities of the autism community.
Autism Cooperative Research Centre (Autism CRC)
AQ played a key role in the development of a bid for a Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) and has been an essential participant in many of its funded projects. Published reports for these projects can be read Autism CRC links below:
- Overcoming difficulties in written expression.
- Structured teaching strategies to support autistic students stay on task in mainstream classrooms.
- Evaluation of digital creative arts program for young autistic adults.
- Goal setting tool development and evaluation.
- Impact of classroom acoustics on educational outcomes.
- Educational needs of autistic students analysis.
- Early years behaviour support.
- Transition models of practice in primary & secondary school.
Ongoing or projects yet to be analysed or reported on:
- Middle Years Behaviour Support Project (collaboration with schools in the Rockhampton and Cairns regions).
- Collaborative Partnerships in Action Project (long-term goal to develop professional resources showcasing three real-life case studies of collaborative education partnerships between students, teachers, and families).
- Educator’s Guide to My Way EmployABILITY Project (involving teachers participating in the trial and evaluation of teacher resources to support transition planning for students).
Community research projects seeking participants
The following are community submitted research projects seeking participants to help build knowledge, inform future practice, and ensure research reflects the diverse experiences of autistic people and their families. AQ screens all research projects before sharing with our community but we are not directly affiliated, nor do we necessarily endorse the views, activities, or organisations of the researchers involved.
Want AQ to advertise your community research project or survey? Apply now!
All applications undergo strict screening. Read the full Research Project Advertising Application Process on our policies page for details. Upon successful application and receipt of fee payment, the project will be promoted across AQ website, socials, and newsletter where possible. Not all applications will be successful and no negotiations will be entered into.
See below current open community research projects. If there are none listed below there are no current projects being advertised. Keep checking back as this page is regularly updated.
Community project: Testing the Value of Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly being used in educational sectors, clinical sectors, and beyond. However, there are important questions about how VR could be applied as a tool to promote wellbeing for autistic people. In this study, we are interested in understanding your experience of a VR environment that we have created.
Autistic adults (18+) are encouraged to participate, whether you are formally diagnosed or self-identify as autistic. You must have English language fluency, be willing to use virtual reality, and have no history or current diagnosis of a major psychiatric or neurological illness or any physical disability that might impede your ability to use the technology.
Participant involvement will help improve our understanding of how to create more engaging and immersive virtual reality environments that aim to promote wellbeing for autistic people. Participants will be provided with a $20 gift card as thanks.
Contact email: [email protected]
Contact phone: 0466 496 031
