Overview
The following is a list of studies that are actively recruiting participants. These studies have been divided into their own drop-down bar. Click on each study individually to learn more about it.
Grandview Kids ASD Hub Survey
Your opinion counts!
At Grandview Kids, parents’ and caregivers’ voices and opinions help shape our programs and services. We invite you to share your opinions about the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Hub.
Click this link to access the survey.
What is this survey about?
Grandview Kids is collecting opinions on your experience with the ASD Hub. We want to know more about your experience when receiving a diagnosis and what happened after.
Who will know what I said?
This survey is anonymous. We do not ask for your name or the name of your child. What you say will not impact the services you receive at Grandview Kids. We will not share your answers on their own. We will present overall findings through reports and presentations.
What are the risks?
There are very few risks to completing this survey. We acknowledge that this may be a difficult time for you and your family. If you feel distressed or anxious when completing the survey, you can stop anytime.
What are the benefits?
Your opinions will help inform our programs. We want to hear from you and learn from your experience to better support the clients and caregivers we proudly serve.
Can I participate in another language?
Yes. Please email us at Communications@grandviewkids.ca to receive a copy of the survey in another language.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
Please connect with our Communications Team if you have any questions: Communications@grandviewkids.ca.
Thank you for taking the time to help improve our services. We very much appreciate your time and opinions.
Dr. Carolyn Hunt
Medical Director Grandview Kids
Discrimination, ableism and racism hurt, but inclusion can heal: Listening to the intersectional lived experiences of youth with disabilities and co-creating solutions [Youth Interview]

What is the purpose of this study?
This study aims to (1) to explore the diverse lived experiences of youth with disabilities and the intersection of disability with race, ethnicity and gender; and (2) to explore the causes and persistence of systemic discrimination, racism and ableism experienced by youth with disabilities.
Who can participate?
You can participate in this study if you are:
- Youth with a disability
- Aged 15-24 years old
- Identify as belonging to a racial, ethnic or gender minority group
- Able to communicate in English or with the help of an interpreter (can be provided by the study upon request)
What is involved?
If you decide to be in the study, you will be asked to take part in a 1-hour interview. The interview will take place over the phone, via zoom or in person (it is your choice).
Participants will receive a $20 gift card (e.g. Tim Hortons) or a letter for volunteer hours.
What are the potential benefits to participants?
Potential benefits may include sharing perspectives on strategies to reduce discrimination and enhance the inclusion of people with disabilities. We hope the information participants share will have a positive impact on attitudes toward people with disabilities. We hope that the information learned from this study can be used in the future to help other people.
What are the potential risks to participants?
The potential risks in this study are minimal. It is possible that some of the questions in the interview may cause feelings of discomfort. During the interview some of the questions we ask of participants may make you feel worried, stressed and/or sad or upset. If this happens, participants may skip questions, take a break or stop answering at any time. This does not include any other parts of the study participants decide to participate in.
If participants’ answers show us that there is a serious risk of harm to themselves or other people, we will have to tell somebody about it. We will do this to protect the participant or another person. If we feel that the participant needs help right away because they took part in this research we will work with trained staff to get the participant the help that you need.
Who should I contact if I am interested?
Sharmigaa Ragunathan: trail@hollandvbloorview.ca, 416-425-6220 ext. 3635
Researcher(s): Sally Lindsay, Bloorview Research Institute – Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Funding Agency: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Holland Bloorview Kimel Family Opportunities fund
Recruitment Deadline: May 2024
Illustrating Inequities: The SANI Project

Are you between the ages of 13 and 24 years with a disability? Do you identify yourself as a racialized person? Are you a parent/caregiver or healthcare provider of a racialized child with a disability? Would you like to help contribute important changes to the healthcare system? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your healthcare experiences and any challenges you’ve faced in accessing or providing services and resources.
What is the purpose of this study?
Researchers are trying to learn more about what it is like having a disability and being racialized. In this study, researchers want to hear about the unique experiences of racialized youth with disabilities, their parents/caregivers, and the healthcare providers that serve them, in getting or providing the healthcare and resources that they need.
Who can participate?
- Youth aged 13 – 24 years living with a disability in Ontario who identify themselves as racialized
- Parent/caregiver of racialized youth with a disability living in Ontario
- Healthcare provider (based in Ontario) serving racialized youth with disabilities
What is involved?
If you decide to be in the study, you will be asked to do a short questionnaire and an interview that will take about 1 to 1.5 hours. In the interview, we will ask questions about how you experience healthcare, what services and resources you use, the difficulties you may have faced, and the emotions and feelings you had. If you need help speaking or understanding English, you can have a family member with you. During the interview, your voice will be recorded. Nobody else will be able to listen to your interview except for the research team.
You will also be asked to complete two art activities. You will be asked to take photos of your experiences and talk about them. You will also be asked to choose one more art activity that involves drawing pictures or portraits. You will be given art supplies like pencils and pastels to complete your drawings. Together, these art activities will take 2 to 3 hours to complete. Your artwork will then be put up on display at Holland Bloorview for others to see. Your name will not be on your artwork.
Altogether, the study will take about 3 to 5 hours to complete.
Participants will receive a $25 gift card or 10 volunteer hours as a token of appreciation for their time.
What are the potential benefits to participants?
- Have your artwork displayed in a public mural
- Raise important issues around being a racialized person with a disability
- Be part of the process of change within the healthcare system
What are the potential risks to participants?
There is a possibility that participants may feel uncomfortable, sensitive, or emotional when narrating their experiences and participating in the arts-based activities
Who should I contact if I am interested?
Zehra Kamani: zkamani@hollandbloorview.ca
Researcher(s): Dr. Timothy Ross, EPIC Lab at Bloorview Research Institute, Dr. Fiona Moola, HEART Lab at X (Ryerson) University
Funding Agency: Centre for Leadership
Recruitment Deadline: July 31, 2022
Childhood Cerebral Palsy Integrated Neuroscience Discovery Network (CP-NET) – Research Database
The CP-NET Research Database is an Ontario Brain Institute funded research project. We are collecting information to better understand how many kids are affected by Cerebral Palsy (CP) in different parts of Ontario and what causes CP so that we can improve care and treatments.
What’s involved?
Study participants will attend two research assessments, approximately 1-4 years apart. During the first assessment we will ask you questions about your family and medical history and your child’s experience with CP. We will collect saliva samples from you and your child. We will also ask to review your family’s medical charts and collect any past brain scans your child may have had. During both assessments, your child will be seen by a doctor who will examine his or her movements. Lastly, your child may be given a brief learning assessment during the second assessment.
Who can participate?
Children aged 2-7 years old, who have CP and live in certain regions of Ontario.
Why should you consider participating?
Your participation will enable researchers to study the causes of CP, identify risk factors and develop treatments and interventions to improve outcomes and care for children with CP. You will receive a $20 gift card to Chapters after the completion of each research assessment.

Contact Information
Angela Kielbowski
(905) 728-1673 ext. 2547
Information updated: August 29 2017
Study expires: December, 2023
Province of Ontario Neurodevelopment Disorders-Network (POND-Network)
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Autism Research Centre and the POND-Network are currently conducting new research studies across Ontario to understand how genes and biology affect the brain and behaviour in Autism and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
What’s involved?
Please contact Susan Day Fragiadakis (see below) for detailed information on current studies.
Who can participate?
Children 21 years or younger who have a Neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g., ASD, Intellectual Disability, Rett Syndrome or Fragile X, Down Syndrome, Anxiety Disorder) and typically developing children between the ages of 3 – 21 years.
Why should you consider participating?
By participating you are helping researchers understand how genes affect the brain, body, and behavior, and then translate this understanding into new ways to help individuals with autism and associated neurodevelopmental disorders.

Contact Information
Susan Day Fragiadakis
(416) 425-6220 ext. 6518
sfragiadakis@hollandbloorview.ca
Information updated: August 29, 2017
Study expires: March 31, 2021
Please note:
Grandview Kids is only directly involved in the CP-NET study and the ASD Hub Survey. Recruitment for all other studies occurs off-site. Each study posted has been approved by the Grandview Kids Research and Innovation Committee.