Research library
The evidence behind what we teach.
Peer-reviewed studies and official reports on autism, mental health and the NDIS, summarised in plain English. Every entry links to the original source so you can read it yourself.
Autism
Research on what autism is, the language autistic people prefer, camouflaging, diagnosis in girls and women, and common myths.
- Peer-reviewed study2023
“It defines who I am” or “It’s something I have”: What language do [autistic] Australian adults [on the autism spectrum] prefer?
Bury SM, Jellett R, Spoor JR, Hedley D (2023). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53, 677–687.
- What it found
- Among 198 autistic Australian adults, 'autistic', 'person on the autism spectrum' and 'autistic person' were the most preferred and least offensive terms, with preferences linked to identity.
- Why it matters
- Australian evidence on respectful language, directly relevant to local families, workers and providers.
- Peer-reviewed study2018
Autism spectrum disorder
Lord C, Elsabbagh M, Baird G, Veenstra-Vanderweele J (2018). The Lancet, 392(10146), 508–520. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31129-2
- What it found
- A major review of autism covering how it is identified, how it develops across the lifespan, co-occurring conditions, and the evidence for different kinds of support.
- Why it matters
- A widely cited, authoritative overview that grounds plain-English explanations of autism in current science.
- Peer-reviewed study2017Free to read
“Putting on my best normal”: Social camouflaging in adults with autism spectrum conditions
Hull L, Petrides KV, Allison C, Smith P, Baron-Cohen S, Lai M-C, Mandy W (2017). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(8), 2519–2534. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3166-5
- What it found
- 92 autistic adults described camouflaging (masking) to fit in. It often led to exhaustion and could threaten their sense of self.
- Why it matters
- Explains why autistic people may seem to cope well while struggling, and why environments should adapt rather than expect masking.
- Meta-analysis2017
What is the male-to-female ratio in autism spectrum disorder? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Loomes R, Hull L, Mandy WPL (2017). Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(6), 466–474. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2017.03.013
- What it found
- The male-to-female ratio is closer to 3:1 than the commonly cited 4:1, and girls who meet criteria are at disproportionate risk of not being diagnosed.
- Why it matters
- Evidence that autism in girls and women is under-recognised.
- Peer-reviewed study2016
Which terms should be used to describe autism? Perspectives from the UK autism community
Kenny L, Hattersley C, Molins B, Buckley C, Povey C, Pellicano E (2016). Autism, 20(4), 442–462. DOI: 10.1177/1362361315588200
- What it found
- A survey of 3,470 people found no single term is preferred by everyone. 'Autistic' was endorsed by many autistic adults but fewer professionals, and 'person with autism' was more popular with professionals.
- Why it matters
- Supports the respectful default of asking each person which language they prefer.
- Meta-analysis2014
Vaccines are not associated with autism: an evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies
Taylor LE, Swerdfeger AL, Eslick GD (2014). Vaccine, 32(29), 3623–3629. DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.04.085
- What it found
- Across cohort studies of more than 1.25 million children and case-control studies of almost 10,000, there was no relationship between vaccination and autism.
- Why it matters
- Clear evidence against a persistent and harmful myth.
- Peer-reviewed study2012
On the ontological status of autism: the ‘double empathy problem’
Milton DEM (2012). Disability & Society, 27(6), 883–887. DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2012.710008
- What it found
- Argues that communication difficulties between autistic and non-autistic people run both ways, a mismatch rather than a deficit in autistic people alone.
- Why it matters
- An influential paper by an autistic researcher that underpins neurodiversity-affirming practice.
Mental health & psychosocial disability
Research on stigma, recovery, violence myths and community training that helps people support each other.
- Commission report2022
The Lancet Commission on ending stigma and discrimination in mental health
Thornicroft G, Sunkel C, et al. (2022). The Lancet, 400(10361), 1438–1480. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01470-2
- What it found
- More than 50 experts, including people with lived experience, found that stigma is often described as worse than the condition itself, and that social contact with people with lived experience is the most effective way to reduce it.
- Why it matters
- The leading global evidence base for stigma reduction, and the case for centring lived experience.
- Meta-analysis2018Free to read
Systematic review and meta-analysis of Mental Health First Aid training: effects on knowledge, stigma, and helping behaviour
Morgan AJ, Ross A, Reavley NJ (2018). PLoS ONE, 13(5), e0197102. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197102
- What it found
- Across 18 trials with 5,936 participants, Mental Health First Aid training improved knowledge and recognition of mental health conditions, with small reductions in stigma for up to six months.
- Why it matters
- Australian-led evidence that community training helps people support each other.
- Peer-reviewed study2016
Violence and mental illness: what is the true story?
Varshney M, Mahapatra A, Krishnan V, Gupta R, Deb KS (2016). Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 70(3), 223–225. DOI: 10.1136/jech-2015-205546
- What it found
- The common perception that mental illness causes violence is not supported by research. People with mental illness make up a small proportion of violent offenders.
- Why it matters
- Evidence against one of the most damaging stigmas people with mental illness face.
- Systematic review2011
Conceptual framework for personal recovery in mental health: systematic review and narrative synthesis
Leamy M, Bird V, Le Boutillier C, Williams J, Slade M (2011). British Journal of Psychiatry, 199(6), 445–452. DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.083733
- What it found
- Analysing 97 papers from 13 countries, the authors identified five recovery processes: Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment (CHIME).
- Why it matters
- The basis of recovery-oriented practice, including psychosocial recovery support.
NDIS & disability policy
Official Australian reports that shaped the NDIS and the safeguards providers work within today.
- Official report2023
Working together to deliver the NDIS: Final report
Independent Review of the NDIS (2023). Australian Government.
- What it found
- Recommended wide-ranging reforms, including changes to how providers are registered and regulated, to make the scheme fairer and more sustainable.
- Why it matters
- Drives the provider registration and safeguarding changes now under way.
- Commission report2023
Final Report
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (2023). Commonwealth of Australia.
- What it found
- Documented widespread violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability and made recommendations across services, safeguards and inclusion.
- Why it matters
- Essential context for safeguarding, participant rights and quality in NDIS services.
- Official report2011
Disability Care and Support (Inquiry Report No. 54)
Productivity Commission (2011). Australian Government.
- What it found
- Recommended a national disability insurance scheme to replace the previous underfunded and fragmented system. The NDIS grew from this report.
- Why it matters
- The foundation of the NDIS and its focus on choice and control.