Mind the Gap:Aligning Autism Research with Community Priorities and Community Experiences

The Sylvia Rodger Institute is delighted to announce the release of Mind the Gap: Addressing autism research and translation gaps by aligning research with community priorities and experiences (Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand), a major project examining whether autism research and funding are addressing the priorities identified by autistic people, families and communities.

The project was led by a team from La Trobe University, Griffith University and Autism New Zealand. It reviewed more than 1,500 consultation submissions, research priority studies, published research and funding investments to examine the gaps between the community-identified issues, research activity, funding and knowledge translation.

“Research has the greatest impact when it addresses the priorities of the people it is intended to benefit. This project highlights where research and funding are responding to community needs, and where greater attention is still needed — providing a roadmap for future investment.”

— Cheryl Mangan, Sylvia Rodger Institute Managing Director

Alongside this research, the findings also informed a co-design process with autistic people and professionals across education, employment, health and disability sectors, leading to the development of practical resources to support gaps in knowledge translation identified through the research.

The Institute commissioned this project with funding support from the Commonwealth Government Department of Social Services. This work provides an important evidence base for future decision-making. Better alignment between community priorities, research activity and funding can help ensure research leads to meaningful outcomes for autistic people and their communities.

Access the report

Read the full findings in the Mind the Gap final report (PDF) ↗.