2025 WCHRI Summer Student

Exploring culturally informed ‘sensory spaces’ for First Nations children with autism

Annie Tang’s research studied how specially designed quiet spaces can help First Nations children with autism and their families manage sensory challenges.

Her research team set up a sensory teepee at a local powwow — a quiet space to step away from the noise and crowds, which can often be overwhelming for kids with autism. Afterwards, she conducted surveys and interviews with First Nations families and health-care workers about their experiences. 

“My project looks at culturally adapted sensory spaces. … It could lead to more culturally informed ways to diagnose and care for people with autism, as there have been very few studies in a Canadian Indigenous context.”

Goals:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally informed sensory teepee in a real-world setting.
• Identify challenges and solutions for sensory overload from the perspectives of First Nations families and health-care workers.
• Inform the creation of a training program for health-care providers that respects and uses Indigenous knowledge.

Potential impact: Her findings could lead to more culturally appropriate and effective ways to support First Nations children with autism and their families, improving their well-being. 

Supervisor: Grant Bruno, assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics; WCHRI academic lead of Indigenous children’s health research

Funder: Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation

Interested in doing research to improve the health of women and/or children? Read more about WCHRI’s training awards for students at all levels and generous grants for researchers.