Background Little research describes the everyday challenges and needs of autistic adults. In order to fill this data gap, the CONtiNuity of carE and support for autistiC adulTs (CONNECT) project set out to learn about the health and well-being of autistic adults as well as their service and support needs. To do so, CONNECT welcomed autistic adults and caregivers of autistic adults as members of the research team, alongside researchers, policy-makers, service providers and health professionals. Autistic adults were involved in every stage of the research project and participated in team meetings held several times a year as well as in numerous email exchanges. Methods Two feedback questionnaires were designed for this study: one for the scientific co-researchers and one for the autism community co-researchers (the project’s “patient partners”). Although the surveys varied from one another, they probed respondents to provide critical and constructive comments on issues that were central to their engagement in CONNECT. Four scientific co-researchers and four autism community co-researchers filled out the questionnaires. A comparative analysis was carried out on the responses provided to the open- and closed-ended survey questions as well as on complimentary data collected from the team’s documents. Results CONNECT was seen as a positive experience for both groups. Highlights included: helping tailor and design research and its relevant materials to better suit the needs of the autistic community; establishing relationships and creating long-lasting friendships with other autistic adults; gaining a better understanding of the research process; and forging new connections with regional, national and international stakeholders. Areas for improvement include: establishing clear roles, responsibilities and expectations from the start; outlining a strategy to address unforeseen changes in project leadership; and creating a platform allowing for the involvement and participation of a more representative sample of adults on the autism spectrum. Conclusions While not without its challenges, CONNECT demonstrates that a collaborative multi-stakeholder approach engaging autistic adults can be an effective model for conducting research on adult autism. Autistic adults and their caregivers can make the research process more open and accessible and make its outputs more relevant, useful and meaningful to the wider autistic adult community.

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Background:Despite its established efficacy, access to internet-delivered CBT (iCBT) remains limited in a number of countries. Translating existing programs and using a minimally monitored model of delivery may facilitate its dissemination across countries.Aims:This randomized control trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of an iCBT transdiagnostic program translated from English to French and offered in Canada using a minimally monitored delivery model for the treatment of anxiety and depression.Method:Sixty-three French speakers recruited in Canada were randomized to iCBT or a waiting-list. A French translation of an established program, the Wellbeing Course, was offered over 8 weeks using a minimally monitored delivery model. Primary outcome measures were the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), which were obtained pre-treatment, post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up.Results:Mixed-effects models revealed that participants in the treatment group had significantly lower PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores post-treatment than controls with small between-groups effect sizes (d = 0.34 and 0.37, respectively). Within-group effect sizes on primary outcome measures were larger in the treatment than control group. Clinical recovery rates on the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were significantly higher among the treatment group (40 and 56%, respectively) than the controls (13 and 16%, respectively).Conclusions:The provision of a translated iCBT program using a minimally monitored delivery model may improve patients’ access to treatment of anxiety and depression across countries. This may be an optimal first step in improving access to iCBT before sufficient resources can be secured to implement a wider range of iCBT services.

et al. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin improves event-free survival and reduces relapse in pediatric KMT2A-rearranged AML: results from the phase III children's oncology group trial AAML0531.