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CURRENT PROJECTS

How does the Project Listing work?

The following is a list of current research projects. For each project we list the Institution, the researchers, their contact details, an outline of the research and any findings to date. Once the projects are complete we will list final findings or any papers produced.

How do I get my Project Listed?

Researchers are invited to have the details of their research listed here. Please complete the form at the bottom of this page.

Details of Current Research Projects

Details of the following projects can be downloaded:

 

                      • Title: Relationships and Attraction Among Individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
                        Institution:                         Deakin University
                        Researchers:                         Belinda Goldsworthy and Assoc. Professor Mark Stokes - Supervisor
                        Expected finish date:                         December 2009
                        Download Project Summary
                      • Title: Raising school-aged children with disabilities: An examination of parent well-being, child behaviour and parent-child relationship
                        Institution:                         Bond University
                        Researchers:                         Melissa Reardon and Dr Dee Bartrum: Research Supervisor
                        Expected finish date:                         December 2009
                        Download Project Summary
                      • Title:The lived experiences of fathers of children with autism
                        Institution:                         La Trobe University
                        Researchers:                         Siyan Fong (Student) and Associate Professor Lawrence Moloney (Supervisor)
                        Expected finish date:                         December 2010
                        Download Project Summary
                      • Title: Factors influencing Daily Hassles in Parents of Children with an ASD
                        Institution:                         Australian Catholic University Brisbane
                        Researchers:                         Sarah Rogers and Dr Denis O'Hara
                        Expected finish date:                         October 2009
                        Download Project Summary
                      • Title: Factors influencing Daily Hassles in Parents of Children with an ASD
                        Institution: Australian Catholic University Brisbane
                        Researchers:                         Sarah Rogers and Dr Denis O'Hara
                        Expected finish date:                         October 2009
                        Download Project Summary
                      • Title: A comprehensive mixed-longitudinal study of growth in boys with Autistic Disorder
                        Institution: La Trobe University
                        Researchers:                         Cherie Green (PhD Candidate),Dr Cheryl Dissanayake (Supervisor) and Dr Danuta Loesch (Supervisor)
                        Expected finish date:                         2009 – 2011
                        Download Project Summary
                      • Title:The Friendships and Emotional Wellbeing of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
                        Institution: RMIT University
                        Researchers:                         Dylan Alexander (Student), Rebecca Nadalin (Student) and Adjunct Professor Amanda Richdale (Supervisor)
                        Expected finish date:                         March 2008 to March 2010
                        Download Project Summary
                      • Title:The impact of fatigue for parent/s with a child with special needs (disability or chronic illness)
                        Institution: University of Ballarat
                        Researchers:                         Brooke Slater (Student), Dr Louise Hayes (Supervisor)and Dr Rebecca Giallo (Supervisor)
                        Expected finish date:                         Feb 2009 - November 2009
                        Download Project Summary

                      • Title:                         Parent Perspectives of the School Experience of Gifted Children wuth Asperger's Syndrome - A Qualitative Multiple Case Study
                        Institution: Monash University
                        Researchers:                         Marie Lockyer ( M Ed research) and Dr Leonie Kronborg (Supervisor)
                        Expected finish date:                         Expect to be finished December 2009
                        Download Project Summary
                      • Title:Functional Mapping of Static and Dynamic Emotional Face Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorders
                        Institution: Swinburne University of Technology
                        Researchers:                         Angela Mayes, Prof. David Crewther (Supervisor) and Dr Patrick Johnston (Supervisor)
                        Expected finish date:                         August 2009 - March 2011
                        Download Project Summary
                      • Title: Perseveration in Higher-Functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorders
                        Institution: Deakin University
                        Researchers:                         Jaqi Broadbent and Associate Professor Mark A Stokes
                        Expected finish date:                         Ongoing - 2010
                        Download Project Summary
                      • Title: The Role of Interhemispheric Communication in Pragmatic Language Impairments in Children with Autism
                        Institution: Deakin Univeristy
                        Researchers: Therese Melhem (Student) and Dr. Jarrad Lum (Supervisor)
                        Expected finish date: January 2010
                        Download Project Summary
                • Title: Motor functioning in autism and Asperger’s disorder: Furthering current
                  neurobehavioural and clinical definitions
                  Institution: Monash University, Victoria
                  Researchers: Ariane Dowd                   (Student) and Dr. Nicole Rinehart (Supervisor)
                  Expected finish date: January 2010
                  Download Project Summary
          • Title: The Phenomenology, Diagnosis and Assessment of Comorbid Depression in Young People with Autistic Disorder
            Institution: Monash University, Victoria
            Researchers:             Rafaela Karas (Doctorate of clinical psychology candidate)

            Professor Bruce Tonge (Main Supervisor), Dr David Moseley and Dr Nicole Rinehart (Co-supervisors)
            Expected finish date: February 2011
            Download Project Summary


          • Title: Influential factors in the self efficacy and wellbeing of parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
            Institution: Deakin University, Victoria
            Researchers:             Natasha O'Neil (Student Researcher) and Dr Jane McGillivray (Principal Researcher)
            Expected start and finish dates: Oct 2nd 2009
            Download Project Summary
  • Title: Predicting Quality of Life for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: the role of Social Support, Stress and Employment
    Institution: Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria
    Researchers:     Sonia Afzali (Student) and Dr David Austin (Supervisor)
    Expected start and finish dates: Finish October 2008
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  • Title: Communication Skills in Four to Six Year Old Children with Autism
    Institution: La Trobe University, School of Psychological Science       Researchers: Heather Nuske (Student) and Edith L Bavin (Supervisor)
    Expected start and finish dates: July 2008 -December 2008
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Siblings of Children with Disabilities: Investigating the Relationship between Daily Hassles, Uplifts and Adjustment
    Institution: RMIT University, Victoria
    Researchers: Belinda Minett (Student), Associate Professor Susana Gavidia, Payne (Supervisor), Dr. Rebecca Giallo (Supervisor) & Aparna Kapoor (Student)
    Expected start and finish dates: Feburary 2008 - November 2008
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Autism: A cross-cultural investigation of parent stress and coping
    Institution: Edith Cowan University, Western Australia
    Researchers: Karyn Strickland (D.Psych Candidate) and Associate Professor Denise Charman
    Expected start and finish dates: June 2008 - December 2009
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Title: The Psychological Adjustment of Siblings of Children with a Disability: The Role of the Family and the Wider Social Context
    Institution: RMIT University, Victoria
    Researchers: Kate Davis (Student) & Associate Professor Susana Gavidia-Payne (Supervisor)
    Expected start and finish dates: March 2008 - December 2009
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Social Functioning and Symptoms of Psychopathology in Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Disorder
    Institution: The Monash University Centre for Developmental Psychiatry & Psychology
    Researchers: Matthew Jepsen (DPsych (Clinical) candidate) and Dr. Kylie Gray (Supervisor)
    Expected start and finish dates: September 2008 - February 2010
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: FAB Trial - Fluoxetine for the treatment of autistic repetitive behaviours
    Institution: Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
    Researchers: Dr Roshan Virasinghe, Sue Reid, Alex Ure, Dr Catherine Marraffa, Associate Professor Dinah Reddihough
    Expected start and finish dates:     Commenced 25/8/08. Expected date of completion 31/12/09
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Treating Sleep problems in children with an intellectual disability using a written booklet
    Institution: RMIT University School of Health Sciences, Division of Psychology
    Researchers: Jane Heywood-Smith and Prof Amanda Richdale (Supervisor)
    Expected start and finish dates: March 2007 - November 2008
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Self-awareness, social understanding and responsiveness, and internal working models of caregiver attachment in children with high-functioning autism
    Institution: La Trobe University
    Researchers: Amanda Newbigin (DPsych candidate), Felicity Chandler (DPsych candidate) and Dr Cheryl Dissanayake (Supervisor)
    Expected start and finish dates: January 2007 - August 2010
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Comparing parent and teacher ratings on the Behavioural Flexibility Rating Scale
    Institution: Monash University, Melbourne
    Researchers: Lauren Brabham (M.Psych Candidate) and Dr Angelika Anderson (Supervisor)
    Expected start and finish dates: To be completed November 2007
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Parenting Late Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
    Institution: Monash University
    Researchers: Michelle Jimeno (M.Psych Candidate), Dr Louise McLean (Supervisor)
    Expected start and finish dates: Dec 2007
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Resilience in parents of young children with disabilities: contributing factors and supports.
    Institution: RMIT University, Division of Health Sciences and Psychology.
    Researchers: Michelle Jennings (PhD Student), Dr. Susana Gavidia-Payne
    Expected start and finish dates: October 2006 - November 2008
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Predictors of Engagement of Pre-School Children with Autism in Pre-School Settings.
    Institution: RMIT University, Division of Psychology
    Researchers: Lisa Archer, Dr Susana Gavidia-Payne
    Expected start and finish dates: June 2006 to January 2008
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Social competence in preschool-aged children. Study 2 - An investigation of preschool children at risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
    Institution: Australian Catholic University, Melbourne Campus
    Researchers: Ms Franziska Brenk (Doctorate candidate) & Ass/Prof Sabine W. Hammond (Supervisor)
    Expected start and finish dates: End late 2008
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Perseveration in Higher-Functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorders
    Institution: Deakin University (Burwood Campus)
    Researchers: Jaqi Broadbent, Assoc. Prof. Mark Stokes (Supervisor)
    Expected start and finish dates: May 2007 - December 2008
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Eye movements in autism and Asperger's syndrome
    Institution: Monash University, Royal Melbourne Hospital
    Researchers: Chloe Stanley-Cary, Dr Nicole Rinehart, Dr Joanne Fielding, Dr Owen White, Prof Bruce Tonge
    Expected start and finish dates: Jan 2007 - Mar 2008
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: The investigation of autistic behaviours in infants "at risk" of developmental disorders such as autism.
    Institution: Flinders University, South Australia
    Researchers: Ms Danielle Robson, Assoc. Prof. Robyn Young
    Expected start and finish dates: Jan 2007 - 2010
    Download Project Summary
  • Title: Development of a metabonomics-based approach to diagnose and classify
    Institution: University of South Australia
    Researchers: Dr Manya Angley, Professor Ross McKinnon, Assoc. Prof. Robyn Young, Dr Michael Sorich, & Dr Damien Abarno
    Expected start and finish dates: April 2005 to December 2010
    Download Project Summary

  • Title: Towards a theory of digital assistive technology design for people with autism
    Institution: University of Melbourne
    Researchers: Peter Francis (PhD student), Dr Martin Gibbs and Dr Lucy Firth (Supervisors)
    Expected start and finish dates: Expected Finish: April 2008
    Download Project Summary

  • Title: Working and Caring for a Child with a Chronic illness: A National Study
    Institution: University of Western Sydney & The Children's Hospital Education Research Institute, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney.
    Researchers: Ajesh George (Doctoral Student), Prof Lesley Wilkes, Associate Professor Margaret H. Vickers & Dr. Belinda Barton
    Expected start and finish dates: 2005-2008
    Download Project Summary

  • Title: Prospective Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Infancy and Toddlerhood: The Social Attention and Communication Study
    Institution: School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University
    Researchers: Ms Josephine Barbaro (PhD candidate) and Dr Cheryl Dissanayake (Supervisor)
    Expected start and finish dates: 2005- 2009
    Download Project Summary

  • Title: An investigation of physical growth in children with an autism spectrum disorder
    Institution: School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University
    Researchers: Dr Cheryl Dissanayake and Dr Danuta Loesch
    Expected start and finish dates: Ongoing
    Download Project Summary

  • Title: Comparative studies of social and emotional development in children with high functioning autism and Asperger’s Disorder
    Institution: School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University
    Researchers: Dr Cheryl Dissanayake
    Expected start and finish dates: Ongoing
    Download Project Summary

  • Title: Longitudinal study of behaviour and emotional problems in young people with intellectual disabilities
    Institution: Monash University, Centre for Developmental Psychiatry & Psychology
    Researchers: Prof. Bruce J. Tonge, A/Prof Stewart Einfeld (University of New South Wales) & Prof Trevor Parmenter (Centre for Developmental Disability Studies, Sydney University)
    Expected start and finish dates: January 1995 - ongoing
    Download Project Summary

  • Title: A Parent Education and Skills Training Intervention for Young Adolescents with Autism
    Institution: Monash University, Centre for Developmental Psychiatry & Psychology
    Researchers: Prof. Bruce Tonge, Dr Avril Brereton, A/Prof. Neville King & Prof. Andrew Mackinnon
    Expected start and finish dates: Starting date: February 2004 and expected completion date is December 2007.
    Download Project Summary

Completed Research Projects

Title: Dual Diagnosis
Institution: St Vincent's Hospital, Victoria, Australia
Researchers: Stephen Edwards and Chad Bennett
Download Summary of Results

Title: Predicting perceptions of attachment bond in mothers of children with autism
Institution: Queensland University of Technology
Researchers: Emma White and Dr Zoë Pearce (Supervisor)
Finish date: October 2007

Download Summary of Results

Title: Narrative capabilities in children with an autistic spectrum disorder
Institution: University of Melbourne
Researchers: Assoc. Prof. Lesley Stirling, Dr Graham Barrington Susan Douglas
Finish date: 31/12/06

Download Summary of Results

Title: Anxiety in people with Asperger's Disorder/High Functioning Autism: An exploration and intervention.
Institution: Deakin University, Melbourne
Researchers: Leigh Morgan - Masters candidate and Jane McGillivray - Supervisor.
Finish date: September 2004

Download Summary of Results

Title: Screening for autism in young children with developmental delay: An evaluation of the Developmental Behaviour Checklist - Early Screen (DBC-ES)

Institution: Monash University, Melbourne
Researchers: Gray, K.M., Tonge, B.J., Sweeney, D.J., & Einfeld, S.L.
Download Summary of Results

Submit Your Project

AUTISM RESEARCH IN VICTORIA

Developed by the Research Reference Group.

If you are involved in any current research projects in the field of autism, and would like to be included in the "Autism Research in Victoria" section of the Autism Victoria website, please complete the following questionnaire. Details of the work will be removed from the database once they have significantly passed their expected completion date. Researchers can submit their findings and their entry will be transferred to the Completed Research section.

The purpose of this listing is to inform autism researchers of each others research endeavors in an effort to promote collaboration between researchers. If you have any questions about this questionnaire, please email the research web page developer, Josephine Barbaro, j.barbaro@latrobe.edu.au.

Students should include their supervisor details