Our Research

his project will bring together Autistic people and other community and healthcare stakeholders to co-design a digitally enabled care framework for community healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand. The research aims to identify how digital technologies can make services, including general practice, more accessible for communities that experience barriers to healthcare. Autistic adults are invited to contribute through co-design wānanga in Christchurch or Wellington, with an online option available for the Christchurch wānanga.

Register for the Christchurch in-person or online wānanga

Register for the Wellington wānanga

To find out more, contact Professor Laurie McLay at laurie.mclay@canterbury.ac.nz or Dr Ruth Monk at ruth.monk@canterbury.ac.nz.

This study will bring together Autistic young adults and healthcare providers to co-design an evidence-based policy brief addressing the mental and physical healthcare needs of Autistic youth in Aotearoa. Through online focus groups, participants will examine experiences of healthcare, identify barriers to accessing and delivering appropriate care, and develop priorities and recommendations for strengthening healthcare provision.

To find out more, contact Professor Laurie McLay at laurie.mclay@canterbury.ac.nz.

This research will use participatory research design methods to develop a digitally-delivered professional education (DDPE) programme which aims to improve healthcare-related experiences among takiwātanga rangatahi.  Through this research, we hope to develop, implement and pilot an autism-focused DDPE programme which serves to enhance HCPs’ understandings of the health-related needs of takiwātanga rangatahi presenting for healthcare in Aotearoa, with a specific focus on mental health.

To find out more, contact Taylor Scott: taylor.scott@pg.canterbury.ac.nz

With support from an MBIE science Te Whitinga fellowship from Royal Society, Jessica Tupou (Victoria University of Wellington) is currently working on a project which involves co-designing and evaluating a Māori-centred takiwātanga resource for early childhood educators supporting tamariki takiwātanga Māori. The resource, He Takiwā He Wawata, was created in collaboration with a Māori community rōpū and incorporates mātauranga Māori and Western knowledge related to supporting tamariki takiwātanga. It is currently being piloted and evaluated by educators and whānau from across Aotearoa with a view to updating and releasing it to the public in the second half of 2024.

To find out more contact Jess Tupou: jess.tupou@vuw.ac.nz

Led by Tori Evans (UC), this project will co-design a modified Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based support model for Autistic youth. The benefits of the this programme will be evaluated in terms of self-reported improvements in the mental health and well-being of Autistic adolescents.

To find out more contact Tori Evans: tori.evans@pg.canterbury.ac.nz

Dr Hannah Waddington (Victoria University of Wellington) is currently leading a series of studies to design and evaluate supports for children under five who are autistic, or who are showing signs of autism/social communication differences.

Find out more here: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/autism-clinic/research/current-projects

The 2-year Cure Kids funded project, co-led by Dr. Nicholas Bowden (University of Otago) & Professor Laurie McLay (University of Canterbury), investigates autism prevalence and health service utilisation among youth (0-24 years) in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Using population-level data from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), the study will analyse 10-year trends in autism diagnosis, with a particular focus on rates by ethnicity and gender. It will also examine healthcare utilisation patterns, including mental and physical health service use, to identify gaps and inform policy improvements. The findings will be co-developed into an evidence-based policy brief in collaboration with autistic individuals, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, aiming to guide policymakers in enhancing healthcare provision for autistic youth.

Caregivers of Autistic children often experience a reduced sense of competence and well-being; perpetuated by a deficit-framing of autism. Empirical research highlights the benefit of early support for child and caregiver well-being. However, increased identification of autism, a lack of professional training, and systemic barriers have limited access to evidence-based, autism-specific support. This research addresses these challenges by co-designing and evaluating: (1) the effectiveness and acceptability of a digitally-delivered, neuro-affirming support, focused on the well-being of Autistic children and their caregivers; (2) the effectiveness and acceptability of a digitally-delivered professional development programme designed to upskill healthcare professionals who support Autistic children; and (3) the feasibility and acceptability of these supports when delivered in the community by healthcare providers. Outcomes will provide evidence of a transformative model of accessible and equitable support and knowledge translation.

This 4-year project brings together several ARC members from throughout Aotearoa,  including Laurie McLay, Hannah Waddington, Jessica Tupou and Troy Ruhe, along with key community partners including Autism New Zealand and Altogether Autism. 

Autistic students are enrolling in tertiary education at increasing rates, yet they face significant challenges in completing their studies and achieving academic success. Existing support systems often focus on individual-level interventions, but these have proven largely ineffective. This project, led by Prof. Ann-Marie Kennedy, aims to identify and address the systemic barriers that hinder Autistic student success. By examining issues such as inequitable access, lack of awareness, and persistent stigma, we seek to uncover the root causes of these challenges. Through collaboration with key stakeholders—including universities, disability support teams, and Autistic advocacy groups—we will develop actionable recommendations for systemic change. Our goal is to create a more inclusive and supportive tertiary education environment, ensuring that Autistic students have the opportunities and resources they need to succeed.