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Plain Language Statement

Introduction

Thank you for your interest. I invite you to participate in a study about the transition of autistic adults from school to work. This sheet tells you what you need to know. Please read it carefully and ask me any questions you have.

What is this study about?

This research is part of my PhD project at the University of Melbourne. I want to learn what helps autistic young adults find and keep good jobs. Your experiences will help improve policies, programmes and support for future job seekers.

What will you do if you join?

You will have one interview lasting 60–90 minutes. You can choose to meet online (via Zoom) or in person. I will ask about:

• Your move from school into work
• What helped you get and keep a job
• Any challenges you faced and how you overcame them
• Advice you have for others in the same situation

I will audio or video-record the interview so it can be typed up. You can pause or stop the interview at any time. You don't have to answer any question that makes you uncomfortable.

I may ask to contact your employer for an additional study (Study Two). Employer participation is voluntary, and neither you nor your employer is required to consent to participate in this study.

Possible Benefits

Your story can help shape better employment support for autistic people in Australia. I will give you a $60 gift voucher as a thank-you for your time.

Possible Risks

There are no major risks. Talking about past challenges may feel upsetting or bring back difficult memories. I will keep your details private, but because not many people are doing the interview, someone might guess who you are.

If you feel sad, you can pause or stop the interview. You might also talk to someone you trust or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Is participation voluntary?

Yes. You do not have to join. You can leave at any time without giving a reason and without any penalty. If you withdraw during the interview, I will delete your data right away. If you withdraw after I have anonymised your data, I cannot remove your data but will record your decision.

What happens to my information?

I will keep recordings and transcripts secure and only share them with the research team. Information about you will be used and reported in thesis chapters, journal articles, and conference presentations, and may also be used for related studies. All names and identifying details will be removed so you cannot be recognised.

I might use the information for other related studies. I will store data for at least five years, then destroy it securely.

Important things to know about consent

You can say yes or no to joining this project. If you say yes, you can change your mind anytime and stop being part of the project. You can also ask me to delete anything you said that I haven't used yet.

Your answers will be kept safe and private. Only the research team will see them. Your data will be kept for 5 years at the University of Melbourne. After that, it will be deleted.

Because only a few people are doing this interview, it might be hard to keep your identity private. But I will do my best.

This project is for research only – it is not part of your job or any service. You can ask questions at any time.

Who is running and funding the study?

Researcher: Aleta Moriarty, PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne
Supervisor: Professor Keith McVilly, University of Melbourne
Funded by: University of Melbourne

Additional supervisory team:

• Associate Professor Sue Olney - Email: s.olney@unimelb.edu.au
• Research Fellow, Dr Raelene West - Email: westr@unimelb.edu.au

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest. (The researcher has family members who are autistic.)

How will results be shared?

I may publish findings in academic journals and reports. A short summary (up to 200 words) of the overall results is available on request.

Who can I contact?

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