UCT Autism Research

The Psychology Department at the University of Cape Town is promoting autism awareness by doing research on various autism related topics. Current projects are social perception and way-finding in autism.

Our long-term aim at UCT is to develop a comprehensive and ongoing research program focusing on various aspects of autism. We believe that our current understanding of autism is far from complete.  A more nuanced understanding will put us in a far better position to develop carefully tailored intervention strategies that will complement those already in existence. The first stage, therefore, is to gain a more complete understanding through basic research. The next stage of our research program will focus on  using this knowledge to inform intervention strategies, and will involve input from various other professionals, such as educational psychologists and allied health professionals working with children with autism.

It is because of this long-term research plan that we value your involvement. We believe it to be a mutually beneficial relationship, from which individuals with autism can directly benefit through greater public awareness, and better understanding and interventions.