Sonya Girdler

Sonya Girdler

Affiliated to Research
Visiting address: Gävlegatan 22B, plan 8, 11330 Stockholm
Postal address: K6 Kvinnors och barns hälsa, K6 Neuropsykiatri Bölte, 171 77 Stockholm
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About me

  • Sonya is a Professor of Occupational Therapy at Curtin University (Australia)
    and affiliated with the Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska
    Institutet (KIND)
    Sonya is a Professor of Occupational Therapy at Curtin University, Australia,
    an Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Australia, and affiliated
    with the Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the Karolinska Institutet
    (KIND). Sonya Director of the Curtin Autism Research Group (CARG) [1] and
    a partner in the 'Living with Autism' Cooperative Research Centre [2] in Australia.
    [1] https://carg.curtin.edu.au/
    [2] https://www.autismcrc.com.au/

Research

  • Sonya oversees all research activity and programs within CARG. Sonya has
    extensive experience in the field of autism research and neurodevelopmental
    disorders more broadly. Sonya is particularly interested in understanding
    functioning in autism using the International Classification of Functioning,
    Disability and Health (WHO), the development, evaluation and translation into
    practice of evidence-based interventions (particularly social
    skills, strengths-based programs and mental health), and research directed
    at improving the participation of autistic individuals in major life areas
    such as employment and education.
    The work of CARG is underpinned by a philosophy of "Nothing about you without
    you" with all projects either being co-lead or informed by autistic
    individuals themselves (Photovoice study looking at quality of life from the
    perspective of autistic adults) [1]. CARG is fundamentally committed to
    impact and translation, frequently holding community and virtual events,
    informing the community of the latest evidence-based practice.
    Sonya is the lead researcher on the 'Talk to Me' Mass Open Online Course
    [2] and the Managing Study, Stress and Mental Health at University [3]
    which teaches strategies to help improve the mental health of young people,
    recognize concerning behaviors, and feel better prepared to have
    conversations about mental health with others. To date these MOOC
    have reached over 40, 000 enrollments world wide.
    Sonya is active in advocating and supporting other women in research in STEMM
    related fields [4], recently completing a story telling project with the
    Centre for Stories sharing her journey to Professor (Sonya's Centre for
    Stories recording - Women in STEMM [5]) and recording a Podcast with SAGE
    (Science in Australia Gender Equity) “Gender equity is a whole of
    university issue, not just a women’s problem” [6]
    [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H2Arlbe3B0
    [2] https://www.edx.org/course/talk-to-me-improving-mental-health
    [3] https://www.edx.org/course/managing-study-stress-and-mental-health-at-univers
    [4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncfEoMXK5Rw
    [5] https://centreforstories.com/story/prof-sonya-girdler/
    [6] https://www.sciencegenderequity.org.au/new-sage-podcast-gender-equity-is-a-whole-of-university-issue-not-just-a-womens-problem/

Articles

All other publications

Grants

  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 November 2022 - 30 September 2026
    Research problem and specific questionsPSYH-STREAM aims to collect big data on functioning and psychiatric problems among children and youth with autism and ADHD as well as neurotypically developing youngsters aged 11 to 25 years to gain novel and reliable knowledge about:how individual strengths and weaknesses are related to mental problems.how social participation affects mental problems.the links between environmental facilitators and barriers and mental problems.Data and methodWHO’s international classification of functioning (ICF) is a system for mapping individual abilities and participation and how they unfold in a specific environment. ICF use is recommended by many international authorities incl. the National Swedish Board of Health and Welfare as a tool for describing functional status, assessing needs and for intervention planning. ICF is also recommended to support social and educational policy making. The competence center KIND at Karolinska Institutet has tailored and evaluated ICF for use in autism and ADHD. PSYH-STREAM will collect with surveys a large data set on mental problems (anxiety, depression, self-harm, somatic complaints, drug abuse, stress and burnout) and functioning (strengths and weaknesses, participation, hindering and facilitating factors in the environment) among 10,000 children and youth with and without autism or ADHD. Structural equation modeling and other statistical methods will be used to answer the research questions.Research problem and specific questionsPSYH-STREAM is a 4-year project, well internationally networked, led by KIND in collaboration other researchers, interest organsations, clinical units and authorities. Data is collected via the platform icfcoresets.se and a comprehensive recruitment strategy.RelevanceSociety today has limited awareness and knowledge of the multiple functional risk and protective factors of mental problems. Society also has little understanding of autism and ADHD, where the risk of mental health problems is particularly high. PSYH-STREAM will (i) lay a foundation for better understanding of the links between functioning and mental health among children and youth in general, and autism and ADHD, in particular, (ii) promote functioning-based care and support throughout society for young people with autism and ADHD, and (iii) create knowledge about how mental problems among young people can be prevented.
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 July 2021 - 30 June 2024
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 July 2021 - 30 June 2022

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