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Supporting the mental health of young people with autism: responding to their perspectives on what works to prevent bullying

Project Details

Funding partner

Department of Health


Timeframe

August 2020 – December 2023


Publications

Publications will be posted here when available.

Team

DCI researchers


Flinders University researchers

  • Professor Gerry Redmond (lead)

  • Professor Phillip Slee


Research partners

  • Southern Cross University Centre for Children and Young People – Professor Anne Graham, Dr Tess Boyle

  • South Australian Department for Education

  • Catholic Schools Office, Lismore, NSW

  • Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation

  • Children and Young People with Disability Australia

  • ASPECT

Summary

This project aims to provide evidence on what works to help young people with autism feel safe and included, and inform efforts to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people who experience high rates of interpersonal violence and conflict.


It aims to extend knowledge by identifying knowledge gaps on (a) what works to help prevent bullying of young people with autism, and (b) successful assets and interventions.


This project focuses on the following research questions:

  • What is the lived experience of students with autism, their parents/carers and their educators, of feeling safe and included at school?

  • What assets do students with autism, their parents/carers and their educators bring or utilise to counter bullying and promote safety and inclusion?

  • What tools (such as resources or training) using these assets might better promote safety and inclusion?

Impact

This project will help to identify and understand the nature and extent of services, resources and other assets that are helpful in promoting safety and wellbeing, and preventing or dealing with young peoples' experiences of bullying, and where there are gaps or needs that are unmet. This will inform the development, implementation and evaluation of a range of resources that will be co-designed with young people with autism, parents/carers and teachers.

Easy-read

An easy-read resource for this project is not currently available.

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