The Giant Steps Living Lab—developed in partnership with Seiun Thomas Henderson, Director of Research and Innovation at the Giant Steps Centre—represents a research and innovation hub dedicated to advancing knowledge related to autism, education, and community-based practices. It extends principles of open science, collaborative governance, and stakeholder engagement into the education sector.
Located at the Giant Steps Centre in Montréal, the Living Lab brings together researchers, educators, families, and community partners to support research that is grounded in real-world educational contexts. By reducing the traditional divide between research environments and practice settings, the Living Lab creates opportunities for collaboration, shared learning, and the co-development of knowledge that responds to community needs.
“Our goal is to create a space where research directly informs the needs of the community,” says Mayada Elsabbagh, Director of TACC. “By collaborating with researchers, partners, and the autism community, we can co-create solutions that are relevant, accessible, and meaningful.”
The Living Lab represents a structured partnership for TACC, supporting multidisciplinary and cross-sector research focused on educational experiences, family perspectives, and intervention practices. Through its governance process, research proposals are reviewed to ensure alignment with community priorities and educational realities.
The Living Lab also serves as a platform for ongoing exchange between research and practice. Educators, researchers, and community members are able to engage directly, allowing insights from everyday educational settings to inform research questions and approaches.
In September 2023, the opening of the new Giant Steps Centre marked an important milestone for this collaboration. TACC members were invited to an Open Doors event to visit the facility and learn more about the emerging research and educational initiatives taking place within the Living Lab.
“This new centre is designed for innovation,” shared Julie Scorah. “It’s an inspiring place where we can exchange ideas and work toward practical solutions.”
The Living Lab Learning Series complements these activities by offering professional development events that bring together educators, researchers, and community members to share perspectives and build connections across sectors.
As the initiative continues to grow, the Giant Steps Living Lab strengthens connections between research, education, and community knowledge, contributing to more inclusive practices and better-informed supports for autistic individuals and their families.