Recruiting Studies

Autism Care

Research
Education
Community
Policy

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 care through meaningful research.

Learn more about our research HERE.

Education

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 care 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 // President & Vice-Chancellor // McMaster University

 

The community engagement component of MacART strives to work with stakeholders and involve them as partners in every step of 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 care 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  //  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, 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 care through meaningful research.

Recruiting Studies by MacART Members

 

Participate in our research! The list below shows active research studies and projects being conducted by MacART members and our collaborators that are currently looking for participants. There is information listed on who is eligible to take part and who to contact if you are interested to learn more.

 

Targeted Cognitive Intervention: Assessment and Plasticity in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Researchers:

Dr. Geoff Hall, Dr. Diana Parvinchi, Dr. Caroline Roncadin, Dr. Teresa Bennett, and Dr. Stelios Georgiades.

Study Description:

This study will test a new computer-based program called “A Computerized Cognitive Intervention Solution” (ACCIS), which aims to improve the way Autistic children think and solve problems. If successful, the program may provide long-term benefits to Autistic children. Any Autistic children between the ages of 3-7 years can take part in this study. Participation entails two or three 1-hour assessment sessions completed remotely and access to an iPad or iPhone.

Approximate Study Period:

November 2021 - Ongoing

Recruitment Information: Eligibility criteria: Autistic children who are between the ages of 3-7 years old.
If interested in participating, please contact: Dr. Diana Parvinchi at dparvinchi@mcmaster.ca, or Dr. Geoffrey Hall at (905) 525-9140, extension 23033.

 

The Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders (POND) Network

Funded by:

Ontario Brain Institute

Researchers:

Dr. Stelios Georgiades, Dr. Teresa Bennett, Dr. Joseph Beyene, Dr. Jane Foster, Dr. Geoff Hall, Dr. Caroline Roncadin, Dr. Karun Singh, Dr. Noam Soreni, Dr. Peter Szatmari, Dr. Marc Woodbury-Smith, Dr. Margaret Fahnestock, and Colleagues.

Study Description:

To accelerate the discovery of biomarkers that will enhance understanding of Autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and intellectual disability, Tourette Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, and Down Syndrome. The project will also accelerate the translation of these discoveries into novel, effective and personalized treatments aimed at improving the lives of affected children and their families. Since its inception, 472 Autistic participants have had behavioural and cognitive assessments, imaging, and electrophysiology studies. More children and their families will be recruited in the future.

Approximate Study Period:

October 2011 - March 2023

Recruitment Information:

Please see the following PDFs for more information: POND Network BrochurePOND Network Flyer
Eligibility criteria: Confirmed Autism diagnosis; 21 years, 11 months of age or less
If interested in participating, please contact: Alessia Greco, algreco@mcmaster.ca, or Carolyn Russell, crussel@mcmaster.ca