Predictors of Success Factors: Hearing the voices of successful women on the autism spectrum

Seeking adult women with Autism

We want to talk to adult women with a formal diagnosis of Autism about living with Autism and success and failure predictors. .
There exists a great need to understand Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from the point of view of adult women diagnosed with the condition. Although much research has focused on the challenges faced by individuals with ASD and the poor outcomes currently experienced by many individuals on the spectrum, almost no research has focused on the factors that allow some individuals to overcome these challenges and achieve positive outcomes in different areas of their lives. This research aims to give females with ASD a voice, through telling their lived experience/stories in order to explore the internal and external factors which have allowed them to overcome barriers through their life and achieve successful outcomes. You will be required to tell your own story through oral or written means to be included in the study. In addition, individuals must have received their diagnosis from a psychiatrist, paediatrician, neurologist, psychologist, or diagnostic team to be included in the study. Individuals within the target group will be invited to participate in interviews over a six-month period (September, 2013 to March, 2014). Our research focus is to identify internal and external factors which have allowed you to overcome barriers throughout your life and achieve successful outcomes. The project is important for the Autism community and females of all ages with Autism. The information you provide will be used to document predictors or barriers to success. These initial findings will also inform a larger future project undertaking a more extensive study of adult women from a range of countries throughout the world. The outcomes of the major project should enable us to understand a variety of predictors, contribute to providing support and/or interventions to girls and/or women with Autism, to address the needs of females with Autism, If you agree to participate, you will be asked: to take part in an interview(s) (by phone or email or Skype) of approximately 30-60 minutes on predictors of failure or success

If you would like to participate in this project, please contact Dr Amanda Webster or Tania Marshall, M.Sc. (App.Psych), B.A. (Psych.)

This project has received ethical approval through Griffith University. Dr Amanda Webster Autism Centre of Excellence Mt Gravatt campus, Griffith University 176 Messines Ridge Road Mt Gravatt QLD 4122 Email: a.webster@griffith.edu.au Ph: 3735 5766 Fax: 3735 6877 Tania Marshall Autism Centre of Excellence Mt Gravatt campus, Griffith University 176 Messines Ridge Road Mt Gravatt QLD 4122 Email: tania_marshall@hotmail.com Ph: 5446 3790