Cognition in Autism Research

📖Research Opportunity📖

Are you a mother with an autism diagnosis? We would love to hear about your lived experiences as an autistic parent!

This study involves an hour-long interview about your challenges, strengths, and supports of being an autistic mum. You can choose the time and whether the interview is held in person at Murdoch or online over Teams. You will receive a $35 Coles grocery-only voucher as reimbursement.

We value your experiences and insight.

If you are interested please scan the QR code, click the link below or email Rachel at [email protected]
https://murdochuni.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7OphFmBVW5PxYcS

As exams are around the corner, we would like to share that our sensory/calm room is open for you to use at MU! No bookings required.

•Where: Murdoch South Street Campus 460.1.014, located in access and inclusion building.
•Open 9am Monday-Friday

We will be gathering feedback as part of our research in the MU Autism lab until the end of the exams period. Feedback is anonymous, and you can opt to do this through the feedback forms in the room.

A little background of the research project:
The room was designed in collaboration with the MU neurodivergent community and built/designed based on community feedback in 2025. We now need your help to co-refine this space (phase 2 of study). The overall goal of this project is to explore how sensory spaces can support the wellbeing of students and staff. Our aim is to develop a good practice neuroaffirming framework for higher education, with a guide to co-designing such spaces within Higher Education.

People with AuDHD often find their traits and experiences don’t neatly fit into either category – and they can find themselves pulled in different directions.

“While around 40% of autistic children have an intellectual disability, they make up only about 6% of research participants.

This means those who may stand to benefit the most from research that can improve quality of life are, often, the least represented in it.”

Few diagnoses have broadened their diagnostic boundaries as much or as quickly as autism. This has affected those with the most profound disability.

👉 Read the article: https://theconversation.com/as-the-definition-of-autism-expands-are-we-losing-sight-of-those-with-the-greatest-needs-281991

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Autism has long been associated more with males than females, but this latest study (on 2.7 million children) found that at younger ages, boys were more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls of the same age, but by adulthood, this difference disappears.

Autism s*x bias falls as age at diagnosis rises | BPS New study finds that the difference in diagnoses rates between males and females narrows with age.

It's never too early to start the conversation. Here's how :

Talking to your autistic child about their diagnosis It’s good to talk with your autistic child about their diagnosis. You can use special interests to explain autism or talk about your child’s autistic brain.

A new diagnosis of 'profound autism' has been proposed and is being considered, but a study conducted in Australia found that the definition often fails to align with the official diagnostic levels, which are used to determine the level of support and NDIS funding that children receive. Let us know what you think.

A new diagnosis of ‘profound autism’ is on the cards. Here’s what could change Every autistic child has individual strengths and needs. New research investigates how a category of ‘profound autism’ could impact their diagnosis and supports.

Predicting Autism Traits Through Infant Sleep - Neuroscience News A new study find that infants with high sensory sensitivity have shallower deep sleep, offering clues into early neurodivergent development.