Principal Investigator(s):
Heather Brown, Ph.D.
Grant Type:
Applied Research
Funding:
48,989
Organization:
University of Alberta
Year Awarded:
2024
Status:
In Progress
Location:
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Topics:
Employment, Transition, and Adults; Social and Communication Skills
Abstract
Autistic students in PS education face challenges related to sensory and psychological safety, often overlooked in research. This mixed-methods study aims to identify features of UAlberta campus spaces that influence these factors for Autistic students. Participants will explore five campus spaces wearing eye-tracking glasses and an Apple Watch to capture physiological and environmental data. We will recruit thirty Autistic adults at UAlberta, focusing on those with multiple marginalized identities. Quantitative data, including space ratings and bio/behavioral measures, will be analyzed alongside qualitative data from oral and written responses. Sensory safety ratings will undergo hierarchical clustering to group participants by similarity. The study will explore relationships between sensory sensitivity & sensory safety, psychological safety & assimilation, and the mediating role of anxiety. This project will suggest practical ways to create sensory and psychologically safe campus environments, enhancing universities’ understanding of Autistic students’ needs. It will be the first to quantitatively measure psychological variables—psychological & sensory safety, stress, and attention—in Autistic students across different campus spaces. Our approach promises to clarify the complex interplay between attention, sensory processing, psychological safety, and environmental design, building a nuanced understanding of features impacting autism-friendliness in campus settings.
Preview
See an in-depth preview of the study in progress, including rationale, goals, methodology, expected results, and implications.
Read the Preview