Emily Spackman
Research:
Toward better characterisation of restricted and repetitive behaviours in Autistic Youth
Supervisors:
Dr Mirko Uljarevic
A/Prof Luke Smillie
School / Faculty:
Complex Human Data Hub School of Psychological Sciences
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
PhD Details
My PhD is on repetitive behaviours in autistic youth, with a particular focus on special interests and insistence on sameness behaviours. The aim of my research is to better understand how similar behaviours can present differently from person to person. Understanding this is an important early step toward developing more individually tailored assessment and support for autistic individuals.
Q & A
Why did you decide to do a PhD?
I hadn't initially planned to do a PhD and instead wanted to go into the clinical side of psychology, rather than the research side. However, I changed my mind when working on my first research project in my honours year and I realised how much I enjoy research, as well as how little we know about assessing and understanding autism.
What do you enjoy reading?
My favourite book is Pride and Prejudice.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not working on your PhD?
Mostly watching netflix. My favourite show at the moment is Derry Girls.
Name one fun fact about you.
I make a mean vegetable lasagne!