Autism Scholars Award 2024

Aneta Stolba’s research focuses on identifying themes, perspectives and support mechanisms related to the portrayal of autism on Canadian organizational websites, to ultimately create a more nurturing environment for individuals with autism and their support systems.

Stolba’s research evaluates the quality of online autism discourse by analyzing communicative strategies, clarity, accuracy, inclusivity and representation of diverse perspectives.

In conducting this research, Stolba follows a structured methodology that involves systematically analyzing the content of Canadian organizational websites focusing on autism. Through this rigorous analysis, Stolba aims to provide valuable insights into the strengths and limitations of online autism discourse, as well as recommendations for enhancing its quality and effectiveness.

As the discourse on autism is heavily influenced by the Internet and social media, despite online discussions, there is a gap between these narratives and actual support systems for autism, often focusing on medical research and treatment, while neglecting service delivery and life-long support, which Stolba’s research aims to bridge.

Stolba is an EdD candidate at Ontario Tech University. Her academic journey includes a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Arts from Ontario Tech University, focusing on online social engagement among individuals with autism and enhancing employer capacity for hiring people with diverse abilities. Stolba has taught at Capilano University, Ashton College and Ontario Tech University. Beyond academia, she works as a Transition to Adulthood Navigator with the Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment program at the Ministry of Children and Family Development, and is deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and empowering individuals of diverse abilities.

Ella Doonaert’s research centers on how genetic risk factors that contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are affected by environmental enrichment, as ASD is most often caused by an interaction of genetic and environmental risk factors.

Environmental enrichment interventions have been shown to help alleviate symptoms for children with autism, but the extent to which environmental enrichment can counter genetic risk factors remains unclear. To address this, Doonaert’s research uses a rat model of ASD with a defective Cntnap2 gene, linked to ASD in humans. These rats exhibit ASD-like traits, such as social communication difficulties and repetitive behaviours. After birth, they are raised in larger cages with enhanced sensory, cognitive, motor and social stimulation.

As the rats age, they are tested to examine autism-like traits, including communication, social behaviour and sound aversion. Following testing, Doonaert assesses the brain chemistry of these animals to evaluate the brain changes underlying this intervention. This helps shed insight into how therapies are designed to alleviate ASD symptoms and ultimately, improve the quality of life for individuals with autism.

Doonaert is a PhD candidate in the Neuroscience program at Western University. She completed her Bachelor of Science at Western in the Neuroscience Honours Specialization program and worked in the Schmid lab throughout her undergraduate degree. Doonaert has received several research awards throughout her career so far, including those provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Children’s Health Research Institute. She is also a recipient of this year’s all-around success, Western’s prestigious G. Howard Ferguson Award.  

Lauren Denusik’s research examines the effectiveness of More Than Words®, a care-delivered program that helps young children with autism and their caregivers find a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to support the child’s development.

Between 2020 and 2021, more than 2,000 Ontario children with autism participated in the virtual More Than Words® program. One part of Denusik’s project investigates if a common set of profiles can be established based on the participating children’s communication and play skills. The results can be used in future projects to explore how program outcomes differ based on the characteristics of the child. Furthermore, understanding the profiles of participants can guide program developers, ensuring their program is meeting the needs of those who use it.

The second part of her project explores the experiences of the SLPs delivering the virtual program, where Denusik will be surveying clinicians from across Canada to identify if further adaptations are needed. The results of this project will be shared with the developers of the More Than Words® program so they can make the appropriate changes to support clinicians.

In a previously completed project, Denusik explored the families’ experiences participating in the virtual program.

As virtual health care is an important step in ensuring equitable access to services for families, virtual and group aspects of the More Than Words® program can increase the overall accessibility of services for families with a young child with in Ontario and the rest of Canada.

Denusik is a doctoral candidate in the Health and Rehabilitation program at Western University. She is in a combined degree program, simultaneously pursuing her Clinical Master in Speech-Language Pathology and her PhD in Speech and Language Sciences. Denusik completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Speech Sciences at the University of British Columbia and, during that time, she worked for the Canucks Autism Network.

Jan A. Wozniak’s study investigates autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) co-occurrence and detailed descriptions of ASC-ADHD experiences across development, including minority stressors, coping styles, coping motivations and protective factors.

By examining these factors through a qualitative lens, the research aims to identify early psychosocial and behavioural interventions to reduce harm and promote well-being. ASC and ADHD often co-occur, with rates up to 70 per cent, but little research has focused on their combined impact, especially considering that this combined impact can elevate risks of stress and suicide. Wozniak’s research will be the first to investigate ASC-ADHD stress and coping, and the first to examine these factors within a Canadian context.

The minority stress model (MSM) in the study highlights additional stressors faced by minority groups, such as violence and internalized stigma, which are relevant to individuals with autism who often mask their traits, leading to increased stress and mental health issues. Findings will inform new directions for neurodevelopmental research and practice, emphasizing the importance of participant insights to support long-term health and mental health.

Wozniak is enrolled in an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Disability Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). In Fall 2024, he will commence his Master of Social Work at the Factor-Inwentash School of Social Work at the University of Toronto. Wozniak has an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Philosophy and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from TMU. He currently serves as a Program Engagement Co-Facilitator at the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and a research student in the Anxiety Research and Treatment Lab at TMU.

Gemma Graziosi’s research focuses on examining the training that students in applied behaviour analysis (ABA) graduate programs are receiving. The goal is to understand whether current graduate training adequately prepares behaviour analysts for collaborative practice in real-world settings.

ABA interventions are highly effective for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities, yet behaviour analysts often need to collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds. This study aims to gather perspectives from students, faculty and alumni of ABA programs in Canada and the U.S. through a combination of surveys and semi-structured interviews. These surveys and interviews will be employed to explore participants’ thoughts regarding the quality, quantity and modality of their graduate program’s training in several core ABA competencies and interprofessional collaboration competencies, as well as whether their training is sufficient to prepare them for practice in real-world settings.

Graziosi’s research seeks to establish benchmarks and recommendations to enhance ABA graduate education and improve service quality for clients and their families.

Graziosi is a master’s student at Western University pursuing a degree in School and Applied Child Psychology. She has a Bachelor of Arts with Specialized Honours in Psychology from York University. She is a recipient of the Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, as well as the Ontario Association of Developmental Disabilities NADD Student Research Scholarship.