Individuals who meet the criteria for participation are invited to take part in a research study conducted by the Pediatric Pain, Health, and Communication Lab, led by Dr. Meghan McMurtry at the University of Guelph.
The study, titled “Gathering Feedback on a Vaccination Social Story to Help Autistic Children and Their Caregivers,” aims to enhance the vaccination experience for autistic children.
The research team is seeking participants in the following groups:
- Autistic youth (ages 7-18) and their caregivers (18+)
- Professionals who work with autistic youth (e.g., respite workers, occupational therapists)
- Professionals who give vaccinations (e.g., pharmacists, nurses, physicians)
Eligibility Requirements:
- Participants must live in Canada and speak English fluently.
- For the child-caregiver pairs, both individuals must participate together.
What’s Involved?
Participation will involve a review of the lab’s Social Story about vaccination (optional) and a ~1 hour virtual interview (for child-caregiver pairs) or focus group (for professionals), where participants will discuss the Social Story and provide feedback on its effectiveness, such as what they liked or disliked, and how it might be improved.
This study aims to gather valuable insights that will contribute to making needle procedures, like vaccinations, as comfortable as possible for autistic children. Your input could have a direct impact on improving the healthcare experience for many. If you know individuals who might be interested, please share this opportunity.
If you are interested in participating, or have any questions, please contact Olivia Dobson, PhD Candidate at odobson@uoguelph.ca.
Disclaimer: Participation will not affect services, funding, or employment. Please see the attached flyers for more information and recruitment details.
