CURRENT PROJECTS
How does the Project Listing work?
The following is a list of current research projects in Victoria. 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 in Victoria 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: 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 A. Prof Amanda Richdale (supervisor)
Expected start and finish dates: March 2007 - November 2008
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- Title: Sleep disturbance in mothers of children with developmental disability: Is it related to stress, depression or anxiety?
Institution: RMIT University
Researchers: Judy Chu, Ms Judy Chu, Dr. Amanda Richdale (supervisor)
Expected start and finish dates: Mid 2007-October 2007
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- Title: Visual schedules and graduated extinction in the treatment of sleep difficulties in young children with autism
Institution: Monash University
Researchers: Michelle Savage, Dr. Jocelynne Gordon
Expected start and finish dates: May 2007 - October 2007
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- Title: Saliency, complexity, and social information processing of children with autism spectrum disorders
Institution: RMIT University
Researchers: Carolyne Jones (Honours student, RMIT University); Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Amanda Richdale (RMIT University); Additional researcher: Dr. Cheryl Dissanayake (La Trobe University)
Expected start and finish dates: Mid-2006 - October 2007
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- Title: The development of a sleep disturbance scale for children aged 2 to 5 yrs
Institution: Charles Sturt University. Sleep Medicine Unit, Sydney Children’s Hospital
Researchers: Maree Deguara, Michael Kiernan Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology
Expected start and finish dates: Sept 2006 - July 2007
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- Title: Siblings of people with autism - attitudes towards MMR vaccination
Institution: Charles Sturt University
Researchers: Mary Beale, Katherine Baverstock & Heather Cavanagh
Expected start and finish dates: March 2007 - October 2007
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- 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
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- Title: Narrative capabilities in children with an autistic spectrum disorder
Institution: The University of Melbourne
Researchers: Associate Professor Lesley Stirling, Dr. Graham Barrington and Ms. Susan Douglas
Expected start and finish dates: 20/8/06 – 31/12/06
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- Title: Play and language development in autism
Institution: The Faculty of Education, Monash University
Researchers: Dr Angelkika Anderson and Professor Dennis W. Moore
Expected start and finish dates: September 2006 - First results by end November 2006
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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
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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
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Title: Executive Functions and Pretend Play in Young Children with and without Autism
Institution: La Trobe University
Researchers: Dr. Cheryl Dissanayake (Supervisor), Jane Khoo (PhD Candidate), Joh Shembrey (Honours student)
Expected start and finish dates: Ongoing
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Title: Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders In the North Central Region of Victoria - Access to services and support
Institution: Project funded by ANZ Charitable Trust through Peter Harcourt Disability Services.
Researchers: Jan Loescher
Expected start and finish dates: Start 14/03/06 - Finish 15/09/06
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Title: Can transcranial magnetic stimulation alter motor function in autism and Asperger's disorder?
Institution: Monash University
Researchers: Dr Peter Enticott, Dr Nicole Rinehart, Prof Paul Fitzgerald, Prof Bruce Tonge, E/Prof John Bradshaw
Expected start and finish dates: February 2006-February 2009
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Title: Approaches and Methods of Practice in Early Intervention in Autism and Related Disorders
Institution: Division of Psychology School of Health Sciences RMIT University
Researchers: Ms Helen Chau, Dr Amanda Richdale (senior supervisor) and Dr Susana Gavidia-Payne (supervisor)
Expected start and finish dates: Finish 2006
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Title: An Investigation of the Psychosocial Adjustment of Siblings of Children with Autism
Institution:The University of Melbourne - Department of Psychology
Researchers: Laura Raniere, Professor Margot Prior and Dr. Janine Manjiviona
Expected start and finish dates: March 2005 to Late 2006
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Title: Actual friendships, desired friendships and emotional problems in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Institution: RMIT University, Division of Psychology
Researchers: Katelyn Moore and Dr Amanda Richdale
Expected start and finish dates: January 2006 to December 2007. Please note that work on this project has been postponed until further notice (May 2007).
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Completed Research Projects
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
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
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
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.
Finish date:
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.