“Future research needs to focus not only on the biological markers of autism but also include data about functioning, participation, and environmental barriers and facilitators.”
Dr. Olaf Kraus de Camargo// Developmental Pediatrician
MacART is laying the foundation for creating a systematic way of linking scientific research on autism at McMaster University to clinical practice at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
The physical proximity of McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, and McMaster University has a number of characteristics that provides the rare opportunity for collaborative research. Taking advantage of existing university and clinical infrastructure and cross-appointments for clinicians at the university, autism experts from these organizations are coming together to integrate autism research into clinical practice.
The focus of MacART members’ research is in the areas of basic science, clinical practice, clinical research, epidemiology and statistical modelling, knowledge translation and exchange, and social science research. By promoting the collaboration of stakeholders across disciplines, MacART is reducing barriers to implementing research in clinical practice, with the goal of advancing autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
MacART members are now supervising more than 50 research trainees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels, and are engaged in the mentoring of junior and intermediate faculty members.
In the future, we intend to establish research and clinical training programs for students in McMaster’s undergraduate medical, health sciences, and psychology programs, and for residents and fellows in Pediatrics and Psychiatry.
By training and mentoring emerging researchers and practitioners, we will help to solidify their understanding of and commitment to using basic science to inform their clinical practice, and to use their clinical experience to help formulate research questions. It is our belief that involving these learners in MacART educational activities will promote their use of practices that advance autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
Community
“Our scientists are working collaboratively with local clinicians to generate the evidence needed to improve autism services. This symposium is a great example of McMaster’s community engagement efforts.”
Dr. Patrick Deane // Former President & Vice-Chancellor // McMaster University
The community engagement component of MacART endeavours to work with Autistic and community collaborators and involve them in the research process. By doing so, the questions that drive research begin to change. They become more meaningful because they address the real day-to-day challenges faced by children and their families, and the clinicians supporting them.
MacART aims to increase participation and involvement of members of the McMaster and Hamilton communities in the research process. With community members driving the research, new and relevant knowledge can be produced to bridge the research-to-practice gap in autism and advance autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
Policy
“People whose lives are connected to the challenge of autism can share knowledge – from clinicians to educators to parents – and what an amazing opportunity that is. We have a real opportunity to translate challenges into research, and research into practice that will help families living with autism.”
Rob MacIsaac // Former President & CEO // Hamilton Health Sciences
Policies should be created using the best available evidence that make positive impacts on the lives of Autistic individuals, along with their families.
MacART’s founder, Dr. Stelios Georgiades, serves on both federal and provincial advisory committees about Autism supports/service funding. Along with the wide-ranging expertise of its many autism experts, MacART is set to act as a highly credible source of evidence-based information to influence and inform public policy about the provision and funding of autism diagnosis, services, and family supports.
MacART will continue to find ways to collaborate with policymakers to both learn more about the policymaking process, and to contribute our expertise and knowledge to inform policymaking, in order to advance autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
“Future research needs to focus not only on the biological markers of autism but also include data about functioning, participation, and environmental barriers and facilitators.”
Dr. Olaf Kraus de Camargo// Developmental Pediatrician
MacART is laying the foundation for creating a systematic way of linking scientific research on autism at McMaster University to clinical practice at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
The physical proximity of McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, and McMaster University has a number of characteristics that provides the rare opportunity for collaborative research. Taking advantage of existing university and clinical infrastructure and cross-appointments for clinicians at the university, autism experts from these organizations are coming together to integrate autism research into clinical practice.
The focus of MacART members’ research is in the areas of basic science, clinical practice, clinical research, epidemiology and statistical modelling, knowledge translation and exchange, and social science research. By promoting the collaboration of stakeholders across disciplines, MacART is reducing barriers to implementing research in clinical practice, with the goal of advancing autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
MacART members are now supervising more than 50 research trainees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels, and are engaged in the mentoring of junior and intermediate faculty members.
In the future, we intend to establish research and clinical training programs for students in McMaster’s undergraduate medical, health sciences, and psychology programs, and for residents and fellows in Pediatrics and Psychiatry.
By training and mentoring emerging researchers and practitioners, we will help to solidify their understanding of and commitment to using basic science to inform their clinical practice, and to use their clinical experience to help formulate research questions. It is our belief that involving these learners in MacART educational activities will promote their use of practices that advance autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
Community
“Our scientists are working collaboratively with local clinicians to generate the evidence needed to improve autism services. This symposium is a great example of McMaster’s community engagement efforts.”
Dr. Patrick Deane // Former President & Vice-Chancellor // McMaster University
The community engagement component of MacART endeavours to work with Autistic and community collaborators and involve them in the research process. By doing so, the questions that drive research begin to change. They become more meaningful because they address the real day-to-day challenges faced by children and their families, and the clinicians supporting them.
MacART aims to increase participation and involvement of members of the McMaster and Hamilton communities in the research process. With community members driving the research, new and relevant knowledge can be produced to bridge the research-to-practice gap in autism and advance autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
Policy
“People whose lives are connected to the challenge of autism can share knowledge – from clinicians to educators to parents – and what an amazing opportunity that is. We have a real opportunity to translate challenges into research, and research into practice that will help families living with autism.”
Rob MacIsaac // Former President & CEO // Hamilton Health Sciences
Policies should be created using the best available evidence that make positive impacts on the lives of Autistic individuals, along with their families.
MacART’s founder, Dr. Stelios Georgiades, serves on both federal and provincial advisory committees about Autism supports/service funding. Along with the wide-ranging expertise of its many autism experts, MacART is set to act as a highly credible source of evidence-based information to influence and inform public policy about the provision and funding of autism diagnosis, services, and family supports.
MacART will continue to find ways to collaborate with policymakers to both learn more about the policymaking process, and to contribute our expertise and knowledge to inform policymaking, in order to advance autism policy and practice through meaningful research.
From April 17-19, 2024, Autism Alliance of Canada hosted their 10th annual Canadian Autism Leadership Summit (CALS) in Ottawa, Ontario and via livestream. This year’s three themes, spread across the three days, were “Inform”, “Implement”, and “Innovate”. The Summit brought together over 250 Autistic self-advocates, researchers, politicians, service providers, and policymakers across Canada to listen, learn, and discuss together.
MacART members attended the 2024 CALS, engaging in another stellar opportunity to share research, reunite with collaborators across Canada, and find new steps forward. Notably, on April 17th, Autism Alliance of Canada announced the establishment and their leadership of the new National Centre for Autism Collaboration, which MacART is thrilled to support!
This year, MacART members contributed to 4 poster presentations and 3 oral presentations. The following presentations include MacART members as contributors (the program can be found HERE):
ORAL PRESENTATIONS:
Autism Across the Lifespan: Results from the Canadian Autistic Adult Needs Assessment Survey
On Day 1, “Inform”, we started our journey with many group photos! Here are MacART members Dr. Stelios Georgiades & Dr. Vivian Lee, with colleagues with the Autism Team of the Offord Centre, as well as long-time collaborator Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum with the University of Alberta!MacART members Dr. Stelios Georgiades & Dr. Caroline Roncadin, with colleagues from the Autism Team of the Offord Centre and Marg Spoelstra of Autism Ontario, on Parliament Hill!We love group photos! Here’s another one with MacART members Drs. Caroline Roncadin, Stephen J Gentles, and Stelios Georgiadeswith colleagues from the Autism Team of the Offord Centre.We are thrilled about the announcement of the National Centre for Autism Collaboration, led by Autism Alliance of Canada!On Day 2 – “Implement”, Autism Team colleagues Dr. Elyse Rosa & Alessia Greco presented their poster presentation titled, “Creating a Learning Health System for Neurodevelopment”! This project involves MacART members Holly Augerman and Dr. Stelios Georgiades. Thank you as well to the Azrieli Foundation for your important contribution to this project!Here is work by MacART trainee Dr. Mackenzie Salt and colleague Dr. Stephanie Ehret from Trent University, with their poster presentation titled, “Examining Criminal Justice with Autistic Adults in Canada”!(Click to expand)Here is a poster presentation by MacART member Dr. Stephen J Gentles and colleagues titled “The 2023 Pandemic Canadian Autism Needs Assessment (PANCAN Autism) Survey and Report”!Autism Team colleague Dr. Elyse Rosa with her poster presentation titled, “Evaluation of Virtual Care Services Offered to Children in Ontario”! This project involved MacART members Drs. Jean-Eric Tarride, Olaf Kraus De Camargo, and Stelios Georgiades. Thank you as well to Empowered Kids Ontario for collaborating with us!On Day 3 – “Innovate”, MacART member Dr. Peter Szatmari takes the stage to present “The Pathways in Autism Study: Reflections and Findings on a 24-Year Journey in Policy, Clinical Practice, and Research”!An enlightening session about key findings from the Pathways in Autism Study, as well as recommendations for more flexible, developmentally appropriate policies supporting Autistic children.MacART trainee Dr. Mackenzie Salt takes the podium to present “Autism Across the Lifespan: Results from the Canadian Autistic Adult Needs Assessment Survey”!An initiative in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada, MacART (that’s us!), the Institute of Health Services & Policy Research, the Azrieli Foundation, the Offord Centre for Child Studies, and the Sinneave Family Foundation, this survey is an Autistic-led project focused on understanding the real-life needs of Autistic adults (defined here as aged 30 and older) in Canada.What a brilliant time the team had at the Canadian Autism Leadership Summit this year! We appreciate every opportunity to come together across institutions and organizations with our long-time colleagues and friends collaborating in the autism field. We cannot wait for the next!
