Literacy Instruction for Children with Autism. There is a social and economic imperative to assist all individuals to reach their full potential with regard to literacy skills. The central goal of the proposed research is to develop and evaluate new ways to support comprehensive literacy instruction for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Following our world-first pilot research, we will investigate the efficacy of the ABRACADABRA literacy instruction program delivered in small groups ....Literacy Instruction for Children with Autism. There is a social and economic imperative to assist all individuals to reach their full potential with regard to literacy skills. The central goal of the proposed research is to develop and evaluate new ways to support comprehensive literacy instruction for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Following our world-first pilot research, we will investigate the efficacy of the ABRACADABRA literacy instruction program delivered in small groups of children with ASD supplemented by a novel parent-child shared book reading program. Immediate outcomes extend beyond advances in the science of reading to upskilling parents and professionals who support children with ASD, and provision of tangible life-long benefits for individuals with ASD.Read moreRead less
Sustainable Selves: A New Assessment Model for Marginalised Secondary Students. Adolescents who have left schooling present a major challenge to Australian social, economic and educational policy. Disengaged youth are more likely to experience social, health and psychological risks, poverty and cultural marginalisation. The project develops an innovative model to assess the skills, knowledge and resources of marginalised students seeking to re-enter education. An authentic portfolio approach to ....Sustainable Selves: A New Assessment Model for Marginalised Secondary Students. Adolescents who have left schooling present a major challenge to Australian social, economic and educational policy. Disengaged youth are more likely to experience social, health and psychological risks, poverty and cultural marginalisation. The project develops an innovative model to assess the skills, knowledge and resources of marginalised students seeking to re-enter education. An authentic portfolio approach to assessment will be piloted and implemented at Queensland's largest provider of re-entry programs, Edmund Rice Foundation Flexible Learning Centre, supported by the Brisbane City Council. Read moreRead less
Neurodevelopmental disorders and loneliness: School predictors & outcomes. This project aims to establish trajectories of loneliness across the 10-18 year developmental period in adolescents with neuro-developmental disorders (NDDs). This is significant because adolescence is the peak period for loneliness and the social communication difficulties experienced by adolescents with NDDs place them at greater risk of loneliness. Lower levels of school attendance, connectedness and mental well-being, ....Neurodevelopmental disorders and loneliness: School predictors & outcomes. This project aims to establish trajectories of loneliness across the 10-18 year developmental period in adolescents with neuro-developmental disorders (NDDs). This is significant because adolescence is the peak period for loneliness and the social communication difficulties experienced by adolescents with NDDs place them at greater risk of loneliness. Lower levels of school attendance, connectedness and mental well-being, and higher rates of disruptive behaviour, expulsion, drop-out, depression, social withdrawal, and suicide ideation are strongly linked to loneliness. Therefore predicting critical times in trajectories will enhance emotional, behavioural and school related outcomes and optimise economic, societal and quality of life benefits.Read moreRead less
Understanding adolescent leadership for civic engagement in secondary schools and community groups. Using the 'research voice' of adolescents as an investigation technique, this project will develop new conceptual knowledge to inform youth-centric leadership interventions aimed at engaging young people in civic action in schools and community groups. The key benefit is the discovery of new understandings about youth leadership and its connection to enhanced civic engagement, both prerequisites f ....Understanding adolescent leadership for civic engagement in secondary schools and community groups. Using the 'research voice' of adolescents as an investigation technique, this project will develop new conceptual knowledge to inform youth-centric leadership interventions aimed at engaging young people in civic action in schools and community groups. The key benefit is the discovery of new understandings about youth leadership and its connection to enhanced civic engagement, both prerequisites for responsible citizenship in workplaces and the wider community.Read moreRead less
Creating Safer Communities: Addressing Risky Behaviour in Young People Through Self-Regulation. Young people make choices about whether to engage in risky behaviours. If they do engage in risky behaviours, this can result in delinquency, self-harm, or death. This project examines: (i) young people's decision-making and the consequences of risky behaviour, and (ii) the effectiveness of a self-regulatory intervention that promotes positive lifestyle choices. The project provides an integrated and ....Creating Safer Communities: Addressing Risky Behaviour in Young People Through Self-Regulation. Young people make choices about whether to engage in risky behaviours. If they do engage in risky behaviours, this can result in delinquency, self-harm, or death. This project examines: (i) young people's decision-making and the consequences of risky behaviour, and (ii) the effectiveness of a self-regulatory intervention that promotes positive lifestyle choices. The project provides an integrated and co-ordinated approach to crime prevention across government departments by offering long-term preventative solutions for at-risk adolescents and alternative treatments for offenders. The project is consistent with Government commitments to safer, more supportive communities to reduce youth crime.Read moreRead less
Countering the bullies : action research on policy change and teacher re-education through innovative and pro-active techniques in schools. Bullying is a major and intractable problem of contemporary schooling. Systemic policy is reactive and imposed on teachers and students. This project aims to effect change by implementing and evaluating an innovative, grass-roots, whole-school approach to bullying through the normal curriculum which empowers teachers and students to address bullying pro-ac ....Countering the bullies : action research on policy change and teacher re-education through innovative and pro-active techniques in schools. Bullying is a major and intractable problem of contemporary schooling. Systemic policy is reactive and imposed on teachers and students. This project aims to effect change by implementing and evaluating an innovative, grass-roots, whole-school approach to bullying through the normal curriculum which empowers teachers and students to address bullying pro-actively. The proposed use of action research places the responsibility for confronting bullying in the hands of the school community. The major outcome will be a system-wide and eventually nation-wide redefinition of bullying policy, and revised structures and practices in schools for bullying management by an alliance of teachers and students.Read moreRead less