Research study: Emotional Awareness and Disordered Eating

Examining the relationship between interoceptive sensibility, alexithymia, autism traits and disordered eating traits in the general population

The purpose of this study is to better understand the relationship between how well we can sense physiological sensations (also known as – interoceptive ability) and our ability to express in words our emotions. In particular we are interested in investigating how these abilities manifest in people in the general population and how they relate to people with high or low autism traits or disordered eating traits.

Interoceptive ability plays an important role in wellbeing and emotional regulation. People with poor interoceptive ability can go on to develop problems in emotional awareness and emotional regulation and mental health disorders. By completing our study, you will contribute to a better understanding of how all these factors are related. New treatments targeting interoception and emotional awareness may become important.

Who can participate?

Any adult can participate as long as you:

1. Can read and understand English
2. Aged between 18-65 years

What is involved?

All you need to do is follow the link below to complete a questionnaire, which will take approximately 20-30 mins.

You can sign up online at: https://latrobe.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1S077DJUwyOtLoN

Upon completion of the survey you will go into the draw to win one of 5 $50 Coles Myer Vouchers!

Contact

Rosanna Pingitore

Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre

(03) 9479 3271

 90174620@students.latrobe.edu.au

This study has been approved by the La Trobe University Human Ethics Committee HEC18099

Help us to understand how early interventions support children…

We want to understand the relative benefits of interventions and supports for children and families by comparing groups of children receiving different types of early interventions.

We will do this by tracking the developmental progress of children and the wellbeing of their parents over a 2-year pre-school period.

Who can participate?
Parents and their child with autism (18m – 3.5yrs old) who are willing to travel to La Trobe University Bundoora (Melbourne) campus

What is involved?
We will assess children’s developmental progress, and ask parents to complete questionnaires, interviews and provide saliva samples (to measure stress hormones) four times over two years.

For half of families – chosen at random – we will provide a series of weekly parent support sessions, free of charge.

For all families, as a Thank You for participating, we will provide a written assessment report on child progress following each of the four assessments.

To find out more, contact: Dr Kristelle Hudry e: k.hudry@latrobe.edu.au t: (03) 9479 5649
Approved by the La Trobe University Human Ethics Committee: #16-136

Pathways beyond diagnosis: a study of parents with preschool…

Are you a parent of a preschool aged child (under 6 years of age)? Does your child have a diagnosis of autism?

We are inviting all parents of preschool aged children with an autism diagnosis to take part in the Family Support Program by sharing their experiences post-diagnosis.

Discovering your child has autism can be a difficult and overwhelming time. Although the long-term effects of diagnosing children at an early age are positive, you may not have felt prepared for the initial diagnosis.

We have developed a Family Support Program to identify and understand the unique needs of parents following a diagnosis of autism.

By better understanding parents’ past experiences of diagnosis, we can provide families of newly diagnosed young children with the support they need to understand autism, promote family wellbeing and ensure they feel equipped with tools to navigate the pathways beyond diagnosis.

What is involved?

Parents are asked to complete an online questionnaire by visiting: https://latrobe.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9zVqRRjxxQAreMl (approx. 20-30 minutes)

Further information

Stacey Rabba, PhD candidate
La Trobe University
s.rabba@latrobe.edu.au

Safe & Sound Protocol: intervention study for children

Decreasing defensive responses: an intervention study of emotional regulation, social engagement, auditory processing and motor skills in children with autism.

Children with autism often experience challenges with emotional and behavioural regulation, social engagement, communication, sensory processing, and motor coordination skills. Read more “Safe & Sound Protocol: intervention study for children” →