Economics of Autism workshop to bridge research and real-world impact

The upcoming “Economics of Autism” workshop will offer families, service providers, and advocate a unique opportunity to actively shape ongoing research that will directly influence autism care. The workshop will be held at King's at a date and location to be determined. This collaborative event will enable participants to engage in two critical research projects, contributing their valuable insights and feedback that will guide real-world policy recommendations and funding strategies.

Focused on the intersection of autism policy and economic analysis, the workshop will explore how funding structures, service delivery models, and public policies impact the lives of autistic children and their families. Through interactive discussions and dedicated feedback sessions, attendees will not only learn about the research but also have a hand in influencing it, ensuring that the findings are both relevant and actionable for the communities they serve. Participants will be able to foster connections that can support ongoing efforts to improve autism care in Ontario.

Dr. Felipe Rodrigues, Associate Professor of Operations Management and Analytics in the School of Management, Economics, and Mathematics (MEM), and Adjunct Professor at the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences at Western University, gives the example of families and service providers navigating the Ontario Autism Program being given a chance to share their experiences and help shape policy recommendations. Advocacy groups can engage with evidence-based analysis and contribute to solutions that reflect real-world challenges.

“The workshop is grounded in rigorous research and lived experience, making it particularly meaningful and accessible. The goal is to make the financial realities and systemic challenges more transparent and to work together with families, providers, government and advocacy groups to find solutions,” says Dr. Rodrigues.

The workshop will present early findings from two research projects, supported by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Development Grants. One study, Economic Burden of Families with Children with Autism, examines the financial strain placed on families, while the other, Optimal Contract Policies for Improving Access to Child and Youth Public Services: The Ontario Autism Program Case Study, analyzes ways to optimize public funding and service delivery in the Ontario Autism Program using new mathematical models.

The projects have been undertaken by an interdisciplinary team that includes King’s faculty Dr. Rodrigues and Drs. Jingjing Xu and Renfang Tian, both Assistant Professors in the School of MEM; Dr. Daniella Bendo, Assistant Professor in the Department of Childhood and Youth Studies; and Dr. Rachel Birnbaum, Distinguished University Professor Emerita of the School of Social Work and Childhood and Youth Studies. The team also includes Dr. Nicole Neil, Associate Professor of Applied Psychology at Western University; Dr. Greg Zaric, Professor of Management Science at Ivey Business School; Dr. Camila de Souza, Associate Professor and Vice-Director of Western Data Science Solutions from Western University; and Dr. Salar Ghamat, Associate Professor, Operations and Decision Sciences (ODS), and Canada Research Chair in Business Analytics in Supply Chain from Wilfrid Laurier University.

“The SSHRC grants allow us to explore how mathematical and economic models can inform more efficient and equitable funding structures in public autism services. These grants support research and community engagement activities like this workshop, helping us ensure that our work reaches beyond academia and into the community where it can make a tangible impact,” says Dr. Rodrigues.

The decision to hold the Economics of Autism workshop stems from “a strong commitment of our group here at King's to community engagement and true knowledge transfer. As researchers, we want to ensure our work is academically rigorous and grounded in the lived experiences of the people it aims to support,” explains Dr. Rodrigues.

"By bringing together a range of voices and facilitating the exchange of insights and perspectives, this workshop will help ensure our research is grounded, relevant, and responsive to the needs of families with children with autism. These conversations can inform meaningful policy recommendations that enable more efficient resource allocation and provide better support for affected families and communities,” says Dr. Xu.

For Dr. Rodrigues and the team, autism is not simply a subject to be studied but is a personal matter. “As a parent of an autistic child, I’ve experienced firsthand the complexities and frustrations of accessing care, and so have many of us in the King's community,” he says.

World Autism Day was held this year on April 2, with the theme of “My positive autistic identity.” The workshop will underscore the value and dignity of autistic individuals in every aspect of life, including public policy and economic planning. It will also integrate neurodiversity-affirming principles by treating families and community members as experts in their own experiences, fostering a strengths-based approach to autism.

“By examining the economic systems that impact access to care, we are advocating for fairer, more efficient, and more inclusive services. These are services that should respect and support the autonomy, rights, and unique needs of autistic people,” says Dr. Rodrigues.

The workshop's interdisciplinary approach reflects the diverse perspectives needed to tackle complex social issues. This collaboration between the School of Management, Economics, and Mathematics and other departments—including statistics, social work, and education—enhances the research’s relevance and impact.

The “Economics of Autism” workshop is more than just a learning event—it's a call for participants to make a lasting impact on the future of autism care. “King’s commitment to addressing real-world challenges has inspired this workshop as a platform to bring people together, share knowledge, and work collaboratively toward improving autism services for families across Ontario,” says Dr. Rodrigues.