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Dr. Barbara Perry a co-investigator in study examining link between autism and radical online communities

People on the autism spectrum are often on the receiving end of online hate speech. But recent research suggests some individuals on the spectrum are participating in hate speech forums themselves: a phenomenon that is a growing concern among clinicians and experts in the autism field.

Dr. Barbara Perry, Professor, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities and Director of the university’s Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism, is part of an international research team embarking on a two-year study on this topic. A New Frontiers in Research Fund grant supports the study. This team comprises autism and hate studies experts, health-care practitioners, as well as people with autism and lived experience with online hate extremism. Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s Bloorview Research Institute will lead the research team.

 on the Holland Bloorview website.