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Understanding. Access. Inclusion. Wellbeing.

The Flinders Autism Research Initiative brings together researchers, people with lived experience, industry and government to address challenges faced by autistic people through collaborative and transdisciplinary research.

Autism is a lifelong and diverse experience that intersects with health, education, employment, housing, justice and community life.

Despite increased awareness, many autistic people continue to encounter barriers within services, systems and everyday environments, particularly during key life stages and periods of transition.

Driven by Flinders University’s commitment to driving real-world impact, Flinders Autism Research Initiative advances new ways of thinking about autism, systems and everyday environments.

Our Research Impact Focus

Our research pillars reflect what matters most to autistic people and their communities. They guide work that advances understanding, improves access, strengthens inclusion and supports wellbeing across everyday life.

Our Work

Projects at the Flinders Autism Research Initiative address key challenges across the autism lifespan.

Current work includes:

early autism screening and trauma differentiation
virtual reality tools to support emotional regulation and social understanding in everyday interactions
factors influencing vulnerability within the justice system
how autism-related characteristics may shape responses to extremist messaging and radicalisation
neuroinclusive employment and psychosocial hazard reduction for autistic people
healthy eating in autism
intersectional issues in accessing diagnosis
autism stigma and its impacts on social and emotional wellbeing
inclusive mental health care
leveraging AI and technologies to promote diagnosis
healthcare and social outcomes for autistic people

Our Leadership Team

Our team of researchers works in partnership with autistic people, families, communities and government to generate knowledge that informs practice, policy and lived experience.

Professor Robyn Young

Director

Professor Young developed the early detection tools like ADEC (ACER, 2007, 2022) and SPECTRA support program. Her work spans early childhood diagnosis through to research on autism in adulthood, including barriers when interacting with the justice system. She leads ARI’s mission to translate research into practical supports.

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Associate Professor Nathan Caruana

Research Lead

Nathan leads the HAVIC Lab, which studies how neurodiverse people interact with both human and artificial agents. His research investigates social cognition, digital interaction, and how VR and robotics can support social, emotional and literacy outcomes.

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Dr Belinda Fuss

Lived Experience Lead

Belinda brings lived experience of neurodiversity and disability to shape community-driven research. She advocates for accessibility and social inclusion, focusing on improving supports for autistic children, adults and older people facing systemic barriers.

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Work with us

The Flinders Autism Research Initiative welcomes collaboration across academia, industry, community and government. We invite autistic people, families and researchers to work with us to shape projects that reflects real-world priorities and lived experience.

Whether you’re interested in developing new research, sharing lived experience, or taking part in studies, we encourage you to connect with us.

Our Partnership with the Lab for Human, Artificial and Virtual Interactive Cognition

The HAVIC Lab is a founding partner of the Flinders Autism Research Initiative. The lab investigates how people engage with human and technological environments, using virtual reality, social robotics and emerging tools to examine cognitive and social processes. This work informs new approaches to interaction, support and inclusion.

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