Australia-first study examines happiness in teens with autism

Deakin University researchers are examining happiness through the eyes of adolescents with autism. Wellbeing and autism researchers from Deakin's School of Psychology – led by professor Nicole Rinehart – said they hoped the results of this study would give a voice to those who live on the spectrum. Rinehart explained autism research focuses on the childhood years. She’s confident this Australian-first research will change this. “We know that adolescent years are complex years developmentally," Rinehart told Campus Review. "If you are going through the adolescent years and you have some additional challenges in the form of autism, then it could be potentially more complex. “Adolescence is marked by looking outwardly from the family of origin, and more towards peers and social interactions, romantic relationships. If you have autism that's not an easy thing to negotiate. It can be more complex to move through what is already a complex maze for adolescents.” The researchers will directly ask the adolescents themselves about how happy they are – rather than just asking parents or carers, although responses from various caregivers will also be taken into account. This is because parents of teenagers with autism often report their children are less happy than they are. “The limited research there is on autism and happiness reports that parents view their children with [autism spectrum disorders] as less happy than typically developing children,” explained professor Bob Cummins, head of Deakin’s Australian Centre of Quality of Life. “Therefore, the only way to get a true picture of the happiness of adolescents with autism is to ask them.” Teenagers with autism, as well as parents and carers, can take part in the study via this online survey.