A York University graduate student has earned provincial recognition for research that could reshape how mental health services support youth with complex needs.
Jessica Klein, a master’s candidate in the Clinical Developmental Psychology graduate program in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, has received the 2025–2026 Autism Scholars Award.
Funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities, the Autism Scholars Award recognizes outstanding graduate students whose research is advancing new knowledge about autism. The program offers up to two one-year awards of $18,000 at the master’s level, with the goal of improving diagnosis, services and supports for individuals with autism across the province.
Klein’s research focuses on the mental health and well-being of youth with co-occurring autism and intellectual disability – an often-overlooked population facing complex challenges. Using a mixed-methods approach, Klein is investigating how factors such as community involvement, quality of relationships and adaptive living skills influence both positive and negative mental health outcomes.
“I'm very grateful to receive the Autism Scholars Award to support my commitment to inclusion and improving mental health support for autistic youth,” says Klein.
Through questionnaires and in-depth interviews with youth and their families, Klein aims to identify not only the barriers these young people face, but also the supports that help them thrive. Her goal is to help shape more inclusive and effective mental health services.
“The voices of youth with autism and intellectual disabilities are often marginalized,” she adds, “and capturing their perspective on both the positive and negative features of their mental health can inform more inclusive supports that foster overall well-being.”
Klein is entering the second year of her master’s program and is a member of the Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Lab at York. Her research reflects a deep commitment to community-informed, equity-driven scholarship that makes a tangible difference in people’s lives.
The Autism Scholars Awards Program fosters world-class autism research and helps attract top scholars to improve resources and supports across the province.