The Autism Research Project consists of a dedicated group of student researchers aiming to investigate the effect of feelings of isolation among Austic individuals. This ongoing study started in Fall of 2022, led by Marina Fishman and supported by Eve Zajicek, Agasha Bell, and Nora Lane. The group has since been joined by Hakum Lartey, Farhiya Abdikadir, Kidist Woldegiyorgis, Peter Mengistu, and Paul Mengistu.

A rainbow circle with text inside that reads "The Autism Spectrum: Verbal & Nonverbal communication Motor Skills Information Processing Repetitive Behaviors Sensory Processing"

A rainbow circle with text inside that reads
“The Autism Spectrum:
Verbal & Nonverbal communication
Motor Skills
Information Processing
Repetitive Behaviors
Sensory Processing”

       The undergraduate research group operates by conducting interviews and utilizing the data compiled to draw conclusions with the hopes of coming closer to understanding the feelings of isolation present in the Autistic Community. Autism is a wide spectrum, with some individuals being high functioning and some being what is described as “low functioning”, which is characterized by behavioral impairments that can affect the individual’s daily life. With the Autistic spectrum being so broad and no two individuals sharing completely similar symptoms, it can be difficult for individuals to find a sense of community or relatability within their shared diagnosis. This may impair the individual’s ability to form connections, leading to a sense of isolation.

Online Flyer that reads"Seeking Autistic People - Are you interested in participatingin an autism study and how it relates to isolation?" "ABOUT THE STUDY - As part of a disabilities studies class at Perimeter College, we are conducting a study to try and figure out if autistic people get along with each other and how that can affect the individual. Everyone always says that every person with autism is unique and different. This study seeks to investigate what that actually means and how that actually impacts those who have autism." "GENERAL INFORMATION - We are looking for diagnosed autistic people 18 and older who have a family member or close friend they can bring with them to also participate. If you decide to take part, you will meet the investigators once in person at a specific location and at a specific time that everyone agrees with. We want to conduct interviews on participants that will approximately take 1 hour to 1 hour and a half." "COMPENSATION - You will receive a $10 Starbucks gift card for participating in this study. This means that both the family member/close friend and the autistic person themselves will receive and $10 gift card."

The Online Flyer

      The students have had to obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval as well as undergo rigorous training to ensure an ethical standard of conduct for the sake of their participants. Their work so far has included (but is not limited to) drafting physical and online flyers, distributing them on campus and on social media platforms, meeting with a social science expert to help refine their research questions, meeting with participants, and conducting interviews. 

      The conclusions the group has come to are ongoing as they collect and aggregate more data, but so far they have found that:

1. Autism is oftentimes seen as more of a burden from outsiders (ex: 60% of autistic participants considered themselves burdened by being on the spectrum, however, 100% of the accompanying family members considered the autistic participant burdened)

2. It can be difficult to make friends in the Autism community

3. Autism is oftentimes not a defining facet of the individual’s identity (ex: 80% of participants did not consider Autism a part of their identity).

While the study is ongoing, the students presented their work at the Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

Written by Eve Zajicek