Riona Nothard

My name is Riona, and I am a fourth-year student completing my degree in Psychology and Linguistics. I am currently completing my master’s research project working within the CAMY lab group, where my work focuses on research with autistic young people.
I am interested in challenging traditional medical model and deficit-based approaches to autism, and in exploring how these can be shifted toward more strengths-based approaches. My research project investigates how we can support autistic young people to identify, explore, and actively use their Character Strengths to help them excel in areas that are meaningful to them and navigate everyday challenges and difficulties.
Within the CAMY lab group, I am also working on projects that explore ways to improve treatment for social anxiety for autistic young people.