Malena Argumedes Charles, PhD, is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at the Université de Sherbrooke and a TACC Regular Member whose research explores how evidence can better support autistic and neurodivergent people, as well as the families, professionals, and communities who accompany them.
Working alongside families, educators, childcare professionals, clinicians, and community partners, she develops and evaluates practical approaches that can be implemented in homes, schools, childcare settings, specialized housing, and other community environments. Her work focuses on making research accessible and useful in the places where neurodivergent people learn, communicate, build relationships, and participate in daily life.
Grounded in collaboration and real-world practice, her research aims to strengthen everyday support for autistic and neurodivergent people across different life stages, while improving quality of life for the families and professionals who accompany them.
For Malena Argumedes Charles, meaningful research starts by listening to the people who live it every day. In this video, she reflects on the experiences that shaped her work and what continues to motivate her research. (Production: Aura Strategies, 2023)
What first drew you to working alongside autistic children and their families?
Argumedes Charles: I began an internship with autistic children during my master’s in psychoeducation, focused on addressing challenging behaviours in these children.
I fell in love with the intervention techniques and the contact with families. I felt like I was making a real difference in the daily lives of these children and their families.
I then decided to continue my studies with this community, and since then, I have been working with and for neurodivergent people!
Your research focuses on everyday settings, from homes, schools, and childcare to specialized housing. Why is that important to you?
Argumedes Charles: My main goal is to improve quality of life, for the autistic community as well as for those working or living with them.
For me, it is important to focus on the possibility of helping develop new interventions, new living environments, and new ways to respond to the needs of neurodivergent people to therefore have a significant impact on quality of life.
What do you hope families and communities will gain from your work?
Argumedes Charles: I would like to improve environments and living settings for neurodivergent people, hoping that my research has concrete impacts on their everyday lives.
What has being part of TACC made possible for you?
Argumedes Charles: Being a member of TACC allows me to connect with other researchers and students who care deeply about the well-being of neurodivergent people.
It feels like being part of a big family.
In this presentation, Malena Argumedes Charles shares how her research addresses complex support needs across the lifespan, with a focus on practical interventions, self-determination, social participation, and improving support in everyday settings. (Midi-conférence du GRISE, 2024)
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